Peoples Daily Newspaper, Saturday 9, March, 2013

www.peoplesdaily-online.com weekend.peoplesdailyng.com

VOL. 3 NO. 30

SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

Meet dog Obama, the prayer 'caller' >>Page 45

. . . putting the people first

I won't advise my worst enemy to take to wrestling, says 'Ladi African Tiger'

RABI’UL AKHIR 27-28, 1434 AH

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NEWS Bomb blasts, gun shots rock Maiduguri after Jonathan's visit

OPINION

>>Page 3

The North does not control Nigeria's oil blocks

>>Pages 41,42

>>Page 37

Minister of Heath, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto state and Second Republic President Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari at the commissioning of the General Medical Hospital in Shagari LG, Sokoto state

Life & times of Barmani Choge >>>Pages 24 & 25

COVER

North: Collapsing economy, precarious future>> Pages 9,10,&11 WEEKEND.PEOPLESDAILYNG.COM

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

News Sept 11: Bin Laden’s son-in-law to appear in US court

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Minister of State for Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Acting Executive Secreatary, Universal Basic Education Commission and Director of Procurement, Federal Ministry of Education,Mallam shehu Aliyu, during the Minister's Inspection of Federal Government Library Project, recently at Federal Government Girls College, Abaji- Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

FG protests destruction of Nigerian embassy in Senegal

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h e Nigerian government said it has fired a protest letter to the Senegalese government in Dakar asking for information, and guarantees regarding the vandalisation of the embassy by about three dozen protesting Nigerians in the country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru disclosed this to PREMIUM TIMES in an exclusive interview yesterday.

He also said the Senegalese embassy in Abuja was served with a copy of the protest letter.

Mr. Ashiru said available information at this point to his ministry suggest that the protesters went on a “spontaneous reaction” when they sought to retrieve the corpse of a murdered member of the Nigerian community in Senegal for burial but found, in shock, that the Senegalese authorities had “disposed

the corpse.”

Mr. Ashiru also said preliminary investigations also suggested that the deceased Nigerian was “killed by his Senegalese business partner” but added that “we still do not have adequate information to arrive at a clear picture at this point, and refused to be drawn into what measures his ministry or the Nigerian authorities will be considering. “ We are awaiting for responses from the Senegalese authorities before we can take a next line of action” the minister said.

However, the minister expressed disappointment at the Senegalese Police who he accused of dropping the ball in failing to protect the embassy whereas an early message was sent to them when the protesters approached the embassy gate, “moreso as their post was not far from the embassy” Mr. Ashiru

said.

He said the police “did not arrive until the protesters had vandalized the embassy and beaten up the staff.”

Mr. Ashiru also said no one has been arrested over the incident.

No one was injured in the attack, according to the minister.

On Wednesday a video documenting the protest was uploaded to YouTube channel showing how about three dozen stick-wielding Nigerians descended on the Nigerian Embassy in Senegal vandalizing cars, office equipment, office fittings and desecrating the Nigerian flag.

They beat up embassy staff available and ransacked the embassy in search of the ambassador who, apparently they could not find.

They smashed his official car in protest.

Ajimobi presents N1m to family of late Yes-O Cadet From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state yesterday presented a cheque of N1 million to the family of the late Miss Bolaji Ogunnike, a YES-O cadet attached to Egbeda Local Government Council, who lost her life in an accident recently while on duty.

The governor, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Abimbola Adekanmbi and the Chairman, Oyo State Agency for Youth Development Mr, Gbenga Olayemi, presented the cheque to the mother of the deceased, Mrs.

Margret Ogunnike at their OgbereIdi Osan residence.

While condoling with the family, Governor Ajimobi described the death of the YES-O cadet as very unfortunate and tragic.

He said that the amount presented to the family was not meant for compensation but to lessen the pain of the family as ``no one can compensate for loss of life”.

Governor Ajimobi said that he felt so much concerned about the incident, adding that he had earlier directed the Chairman of Egbeda Local Government to pay condolence visit to the family.

While expressing appreciation to

the governor for the gesture, Mrs. Ogunnike and the elder sister to the deceased, Miss Modupeola Ogunnike, described Governor Ajimobi as a caring, sympathetic and humane leader who attached value to the life of every citizen of the state.

s a m a bin Laden’s former spokesman and son-in-law has been captured and charged with conspiring to kill Americans.

He is expected to appear for an initial hearing at a federal court later.

Sulaiman Abu Ghaith was captured in Jordan in the past few days and flown to the US by intelligence officials.

The case marks a legal victory for the Obama administration which has long sought to charge senior al Qaeda suspects in American federal courts rather than military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

On Thursday US Congressman Peter King credited the CIA and FBI with catching Ghaith within the past week.

Ghaith was handed over to US law enforcement officials under an extradition treaty.

Mr King, a Republican, said Ghaith took part in the September 11, 2001, plot against the World Trade Centre and Pentagon.

He said, “definitely, one by one, we are getting the top echelons of al Qaeda. I give the (Obama) administration credit for this, it’s steady and it’s unrelenting and it’s very successful.”

Ghaith became an international name in late 2001 when he appeared on pan-Arab satellite television urging Muslims everywhere to fight

Oil theft: JTF disputes Shell claims

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h e Joint Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta yesterday said Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, might have given false statistics to support its claim of increased theft of the crude it produces.

Shell complained about increased theft of its crude, which it put at about 60, 000 barrels a day, an amount it described as an all time high; and one that threatens its operations.

The SPDC then threatened to shut its Nembe Trunk Line because of rising incidents of oil theft within its pipeline network in Bayelsa state.

The Managing Director of SPDC, Mutiu Sumonu, on March 4, urged the JTF to step up its activities to reduce oil theft.

But the JTF spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, said in Yenagoa that the outfit is recording significant success in the fight against the illegal activities.

Court workers to commence strike Monday

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o u r t workers in Nigeria have been directed to commence an indefinite strike from Monday.

The workers’ union, the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, gave the directive yesterday The union according to online

the US and warning of more major attacks.

In one video, he was sitting with Bin Laden in Afghanistan. A teacher and mosque preacher in Kuwait, he was stripped of his Kuwaiti citizenship after 9/11.

Ghaith's trial will mark one of the first prosecutions of senior al Qaeda leaders on US soil.

Charging foreign terror suspects in American federal courts was a top pledge by President Barack Obama shortly after he took office in 2009, aimed in part, to close the detention centre at Guantanamo Bay. Since September 11, 67 foreign terror suspects have been convicted in US federal courts, according to watchdog group, Human Rights First, which obtained the data from the Justice Department through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Republicans in Congress have staunchly opposed bringing terror suspects to the US and fought the White House to keep Guantanamo open.

The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported that Ghaith was passing through Jordan, on his way to Kuwait, shortly after leaving Turkey.

The newspaper said that Ghaith was taken into custody more than a month ago at a luxury hotel in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

But Turkish officials decided he had not committed any crime in Turkey and released him, the newspaper reported.

medium, Premium Times, said the strike was in protest against the non-implementation of the consolidated salary structure for the workers.

Should the strike proceed as directed, all cases in Nigerian courts may be stalled from Monday.

He said the statistics SPDC gave is suspicious.

“The statistics peddled by SPDC is very doubtful, they should look inwards as their staff possessed the expertise to crack and clamp and not the JTF,” Mr. Nwachukwu said.

He said, “The facts at our disposal are that from January 2013 to date, 260 suspects, eight vessels, nine barges and 90 boats have been arrested.

“We have also destroyed 452 illegal oil refining points. The JTF has not in any way relented in its task of combating oil theft in the region.”

Mr. Nwachukwu said the JTF had adopted a robust strategy in combating oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities at various stages.

He said this include advocacy, enlightenment campaigns, surveillance of oil installations and pipeline network.

“Crude oil theft involved a complex network from the source, where crude is stolen, transported, refined and distributed.

“We recently raided a distribution centre in Yenagoa and destroyed the warehouse, where the products are stored.

“It is a continuous exercise aimed at making crude theft costineffective, thereby, discouraging it,” Mr. Nwachukwu said.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

News

International Women’s Day: NGO makes case for rural women

By Josephine Ella Ejeh

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s the world marked the International Day for Women yesterday, an Abuja based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Helpline Foundation for the Needy, has appealed to the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that women in the rural

areas are economically empowered.

The group’s President, Mrs. Jumai Ahmadu, who made the call in Abuja, also urged both state and federal governments to design ways of empowering women.

According to her, equality is the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.

She said, “since its birth in the socialist movement,

International Women’s Day (IWD) has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. For decades, IWD has grown from strength to strength annually.

“For many years the United Nations has held annual IWD conferences to coordinate international efforts for women’s rights and participation in social,

political and economic processes.

“Women’s organizations and governments around the world have also observed IWD annually on March 8, by holding large-scale events that honour women’s advancement.

“With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive

role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality.

“The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally with their male counterparts, women are still not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.”

Teacher impregnates JSS student in Ilorin From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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Mathematics teacher, Mr. Raphael Ogunsola, has allegedly impregnated a Junior Secondary School (JSS) 11 student at the Cherubim and Seraphim Missionary School, in Ilorin, Kwara state.

The teacher reportedly seduced the student (name withheld) with a promise to ensure that she passes the Mathematics examination.

It was also gathered that the student had always visited “Uncle Raphael’s” residence along Opomalu Area, Ilorin.

Speaking to our Correspondent on the issue, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Alhaji Lamidi Alabi, said that, “what type of understanding should a teacher and students have beyond teaching and learning?

When our reporter visited the school, the Principal made efforts at concealing the identity of the student and described the incident as rumour.

Kogi LG polls: PDP concludes screening of candidates From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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hairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi state Hon. Hassan Salawu, has asked its candidates for the May 4, 2013, local council polls to ensure victory for the party.

Speaking at on Thursday in Lokoja at the closing ceremony of the screening for the aspirants, Salawu said that, “you are going to the field to contest with others and it is how serious you are that the people will regard you.

“The PDP has made it abundantly clear that nobody is a favourite of the party and the era of hand picking individuals and hoisting them on the people is over.

“You must ensure that the papers you presented during screening reflect the true position of who you are because the society would not want to work with a criminal as their leader and that would even expose you to the opponents to witch-hunt you.”

Governor of Niger state, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu in a ward shortly after commissioning the newly built NYSC Orientation Camp Clinic, during the swearing in of the 2013 batch A corps members at the State NYSC Orientation Camp, Paiko.

Yobe records 361 NDLEA nabs 6 cases of measles, suspects over four deaths illegal drugs

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he Yobe state government said it recorded 361 cases of measles with four deaths in 14 out of the 17 local government areas of the state from January to date.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Musa Alaraba, the Press Secretary to Yobe Deputy Governor, in Damaturu yesterday.

The statement said that the four deaths were recorded at Nangere local government.

It stated that Potiskum recorded 87 cases, Tarmuwa 37, Nangere 33, Bursari 30, Jakusko 29, Bade 27, Fika 25, Fune 24, Gulani 22, Nguru 20, Karasuwa 12, Giedam eight, Yusufari six, and Damaturu one.

According to the statement, 357 children were treated and discharged while four died out of the 33 cases recorded in Nangere.

The statement further stated that the Ministry of Health introduced integrated measles campaign alongside the routine immunization.

“As a deliberate policy, the ministry took advantage of the routine Immunization Plus Days to administer measles vaccines to children who missed the initial immunization.

“A surveillance network had also been introduced in all the17 Local Governments for early disease detection and quick response,’’ the statement said.

(NAN)

From Mahmoud Muhammad, Sokoto

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he National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Sokoto state Command yesterday paraded (6)six suspects for possessing illicit drugs in the state.

Parading the suspects at the premise of the Agency in Sokoto, the Commandant of the NDLEA, Mr. Musba'u Idris said the culprit were arrested following surveillance and intelligence reports received by the Command.

Alhaji Musba'u Idris, explained that the command had successfully prosecuted 11 suspects and seized about 43 bags of Indian hemp as well as different varieties of illicit drugs from January to date.

According to him, about 53 suspects were prosecuted from 2011 to 2013. He therefore, reiterated the commitment of the command to arrest and prosecute any drugs dealer with the view to reducing drug trafficking in the state.

The Commandant called on the general public to provide the command with information that would lead to the arrest of criminals in the state.

He added that the NDLEA and other law enforcement agencies cannot work in isolation, saying with the cooperation of the people, crime would be reduced to the barest minimum in the state. He however pledged that any information provided by individuals will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

Photo News

Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Rufai (5 right), with Executives Members of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), in a group photograph, during NANS Courtesy call to the Minister, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto state and the Deputy Governor, Muktari Shagari inspecting Murtala Mohammed Hospital in Sokoto on Friday

A fulani lady at the just concluded 2013 Katsina agric show in Kafin-Soli, Katsina state.

L-R: Head of Lagos, News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Isaac Ighure; former Editor-inChief, Mr Dipo Ogbede, Deputy Director Finance and Accounts, Mrs Khadijat Lawal and Deputy Director, Marketing, Mrs Kate Popoola, during the send-off in honour of former Editor-in-Chief in Lagos on Friday.

A ram with four horns on display at the agric show.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

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News

Nasarawa Govt. donates office, vehicle to WAEC

Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Governor Aliyu Wamakko and former, President Shehu Shagari yesterday in Shagari, Sokoto.

Nasarawa State Government yesterday donated a building and a new Peugeot vehicle to support the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to establish its presence in the state.

The office donated is situated on Al-Makura St.in Lafia.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Hajiya Zainab Abdulmuminin, presented the keys of the new office and vehicle to the WAEC's Zonal Coordinator, Mr Basi Nyam, on behalf of the government.

According to her, the donation is for the smooth take-off of the activities of the organisation in the state.

She said that the state government accorded priority to the education sector, hence the need to ensure effective service

delivery.

Abdulmuminin, who conducted the WAEC officials round the new office, explained that the gesture would reduce the movement of principals to Jos for registration of students.

Responding, Nyam assured that WAEC would make judicious use of the office accommodation and the vehicle.

“Now that we have a new office, I am hopeful that by next year, the May/June WAEC examination’s registration in all parts of the state would be conducted in Lafia,” he said.

Nyam thanked the state government for coming to their aid in providing them with office accommodation and the vehicle.(NAN)

First Lady calls for removal of Outrage over impediments to women emancipation maltreatment of hijabA wearing student in Lagos

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

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h e Nasarawa state chapter of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO), has condemned the recent flogging of a 12 year old, JSS 1 student of Kadara Junior Grammar School, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

Reports said that the Principal of the school, Mrs. Ukpaka, allegedly flogged Aishat Alabi for wearing a Hijab, the Muslim head

covering for women.

A press statement in Lafia yesterday, signed by Salisu Kaki Musa, NACOMYO President, described the act as barbaric, unjustifiable and tantamount to child abuse.

The group demanded immediate suspension of the Principal pending the outcome of a probe panel set up by the Lagos state government to investigate the matter.

The group called on all

principals of public schools and heads of schools to note that the Hijab is a constitutional and fundamental religious right of every Muslim female student in Nigeria and as such, “the organization will not condone such infringement on our God-given and constitutional rights.

“We shall not fold our arms and watch the religious rights of the younger generation trampled upon by some irresponsible sadists"

Wammako, Health Minister, call for peace, unity in Nigeria

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h e Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu and Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto state has stressed the need for Nigeria to remain a peaceful and united country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the duo spoke at a joint press briefing as part of Chukwu’s two-day official visit to Sokoto yesterday NAN also reports that the minister was in Sokoto State to inaugurate and inspect a number of health-related projects executed by the State and Federal

Governments.

According to him, in spite of the myriad of ethnic, religious and cultural differences, the nation can still remain peaceful and united.

“We have potential of unity and Nigerians, especially the ordinary ones are already living together peacefully and harmoniously.

“We need to talk more on what unite us. We are all one and there is no difference,’’ he added.

Gov. Wamakko, in his own view, said the diversity of the

Nigerians was supposed to be source of strength not weakness.

“We need to further build stronger, viable, veritable and united Nigeria. We must also endeavour to bequeath a more united Nigeria to even yet unborn future generations.

“Without peace and unity, there will be no meaningful development in the country,’’ Wamakko said.

He commended the Federal Government for its renewed commitment to the health sector in the past few years. ( NAN)

s Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the International Women’s Day, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has described the women of Nigeria as “heroines” of the nation.

She paid tribute to the strength and resourcefulness of the Nigerian women, while calling for the removal of impediments that have posed challenges to the progress and development of women and the girl-child.

The First Lady felicitated with women nationwide and praises great Nigerian women who have contributed immensely to Nigeria’s progress.

According to a statement signed by her spokesman, Ayo Osinlu, " She further encourages Nigerian women to continue to use their positions as peace-makers and

bridge-builders to work for peaceful co-existence in Nigeria.

Dame Patience Jonathan takes advantage of the day to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for being gender sensitive and for making good his electoral promises by appointing 13 female Ministers into his cabinet, the largest in the history of Nigeria."

She commended the United Nations for the appropriate choice of the theme for this year, “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women”, describing it as a global reminder of the urgency required in the crusade to eradicate all forms of violence against women in all places.

March 8 of every year is set aside as International Women's Day, to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women worldwide.

Arewa group launches skill acquisition programme in Kaduna From Nasiru Mu’azu Isa, Kaduna

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he Arewa Transformation and Empowerment Initiative has launched a skill acquisition programme.

The group says 16,000 youths from across the 19 states in the north are expected to benefit from the scheme.

Speaking during the

inauguration of the pilot coordinators for the programme in Kaduna, the group’s National President, Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma, said that the programme was designed to among other things, provide employment for the teeming population of the employed in various parts of the north.

APC's constitution, manifesto ready on Wednesday

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l l Progressive Congress (APC) said it is poised to improve the quality of living of Nigerians by adhering to principles of good governance.

A member of the APC merger committee, Mr Garba Gadi, expressed this yesterday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Gadi, representing the CPC in

the committee, said the new association would take measures to address the basic needs of Nigerians.

He assured Nigerians of the committee's determination to present both APC's constitution and manifesto on Wednesday.

He said that sub-committees of the merger would obtain registration for the association in the shortest time possible.

“The process is going on steadily and we have succeeded in many areas touched by the subcommittees of the merger main committee.”

Gadi said the main committee was in the process of taking a firm stand on the new constitution and manifesto of the association, adding that its new logo was no longer in contention.

He said the logo would further strengthen the members' faith in the association as well as bind them to the spirit and letter of the constitution and manifesto.

“The next thing after the logo is for the joint committee to agree on the constitution and the manifesto of the party.

“I will assure you that our manifesto will be different from all

the manifestoes that have ever been observed from independence to date.”

According to him, the constitution will contain all the regulations that will guide members' behaviours.

He explained that the opposition parties had since seen the imperative to join forces together and restore Nigeria's glory. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

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Issues Maku: A scam is a scam With Ayodele Samuel

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abaran Maku is a foremost comrade, vibrant student union leader, articulate politician, former activist per excellence turned reactionary, Nigeria's Minister for Information and leader of the now most criticised 'Good Governance Tour' who, it would seem cannot differentiate between a scam and a scam.

The tour of projects across the country, either failed, uncompleted or poorly executed by contractors is a blatant waste of public funds and will be best described as another of one of the hundreds of scams of the present government which Maku represents.

Even the blind know that good projects don't need to be toured before people know they are in the interest of the public, but let's pretend that the policy is masses oriented and face the scam buried in it - based on the alarm sounded by the Edo state government last week. Already, the Federal Government had set aside funds for the tour; yet a multi-million naira proposal as revealed by Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole was to be bank rolled by the state government to support the course. The question is - What happened to the funds provided for the Good Governance Tour in the first instance?

Maku must tell Nigerians

and the world with all honesty at the end of the tour, how much it cost the nation and state governments in undertaking the tour of all federal government project sites across the nation and the benefits to the country's economy. What has this tour cost the respective state governments and where is this development model copied from?

Nigerians are not too blind to see good projects where they are.

We have heard of performing state governors without multimillion naira tours. Why should Maku force us to remember that the PDP-led Federal Government has performed below any sane government in the world or want us to pay from the Federal Government purse for lies and propagandas we have been fed with since the 14-year reign of PDP? Did Maku's team visit Southeast roads, the Otukpo-Gboko road in Benue state, or the Ikom-Calabar Road in Cross River state? What of the abandoned Benin-Ore Road?

Nigerians lack basic amenities; all indices across trhe country point at the absence of essential services and the abnegation of governance. Yet, Maku and his train went on a good governance jamboree gamboling across this massively deprived country while making deceitful speeches on television.

Methinks the minister has been using the opportunity to build a political career;

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku campaigning ahead of 2015 in an obliviously wrong way.

Can Maku since the beginning of his tour show Nigerians one major highway his principal has completed in the last four years in office? Or any project of significance to the populace this government has

embarked on since 2009.

What is the importance of this jamboree on 50 million unemployed Nigerians youths?

How has the tour shown good governance to the people? The falsehood in Maku's tour shows in his praise singing of all the governors, which runs

according to the dictates of the payer calling the tune for the piper. My verdict: This tour is an orchestrated scam - the most ingenious in recent times and given a national scope and political approval of Maku and his masters. Nigerians are watching!

Al-makura! 'Nasarawa 4' must not die in vain

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or over three weeks, the Nasarawa State University community had suffered non-availability of Basic amenities (water and electricity supply) without the authorities of the University either explaining the reasons for the lack of these essential amenities to the students and the entire community or making efforts to fix the problem or make alternative arrangement for the supply of the amenities before the

students embarked on a peaceful protest to drive home a demand .A demand for what is right, a demand of good live yet a demand that take away four promising lives, it remind us of the 1986 ABU massacre.

Deploying armed military officers and police personnel to employ the use of excessive force to quell civil protest by students who were not armed was very wrong and unreasonable -though the University management

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though the University management denied inviting them to quell the protest ,no official explanation or excuse can erase the guilt of the army as their act was brutal murder of innocent protesters demanding decent welfare conditions.

Nasarawa state governor, Alhaji Umar

denied inviting them to quell the protest ,no official explanation or excuse can erase the guilt of the army as their act was brutal murder of innocent protesters demanding decent welfare conditions.

While I place the responsibility to ensure safety of its students either protesting or not on the University management, Governor Tanko Al Makura still remains the Chief Security Officer of the state, he should explain to Nigerians, who invited soldiers to quell a legitimate protest, who killed the students as the police and Nigerian Army are finding it difficult to take responsibility. He should pay adequate compensations to the families of victims and recommend ways to forestall future occurrence. It should be stressed that students protesting lack of basic amenities do not deserve to be killed. Those students should not be allowed to die in vain.

Those responsible must be brought to justice.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 8

Interview I wanted to join the army but i was told i was too pretty Chief (Mrs.) Jumoke Bamigboye is a Barrister at Law and wife to former Military Administrator of Osun and Bauchi states. In this interview with our correspondent in Ilorin, Olanrewaju Lawal, the former first lady recounts how her father did not want her to marry outside because of his love for his children.

Excerpts.

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an you tell us about yourself please?

My name is Chief (Mrs.) Jumoke Bamigboye. I am a Kwaran, even though I was born in Akwa-Ibom, but by marriage, am now Kwaran. I am happy about that.

People call themselves princess even as a title. In my own case I was born into a royal family in Akwa-Ibom. I actually started my education in Akwa-Ibom state and people would be calling me OmoOba. I had breakages in my education due to my father and mother being transferred here and there as civil servants. I did my university education in Uyo University of Uyo formerly Known as Cross River State University (UNICROSS). I read political science there. I went to University of Technology where I obtained my LLB. I went to Abuja for my law school and I was called to the Bar. How did you meet your husband?

I don't believe in how one meets her husband. Before we came to this world, God has destined for us whom to marry. We met when I was in the university. People say it was love at sight, maybe it was.

So, we have been together since then.

Were you not afraid of marrying a military man?

Somehow, I wasn't afraid … I was never scared despite the fact he was military man then. I was born into a family where we see khaki men and women every day. My father, who was a customs officer then, moved from one point to another.

Initially, I went to Army Barracks in Calabar to join army but the commander then told me that I was too pretty to be a soldier. He told me that "don't worry, one day, who knows, you could end up marrying a military officer. So, I'm not afraid or scared more so now that my husband has retired from active service.

Did your family, especially your parents oppose your intention to marry outside your community?

Initially, while we were courting, my father did; but we don't discriminate in our family.

Because many of us marry outside our state. We don't look at where someone comes from or their background. What I had then was my father, who didn't want me to go too far until we finally married.

Our courtship lasted for many years and I'm glad that the dream came to reality.

We would like to know how you are coping with your husband's tight schedules and the home front…

My husband doesn't have tight schedules. We are always together.

He has retired now and I am the one that should be saying that I have tight schedules. I think I am the one that has tight schedules. I would wake up earlier in the morning to go to court as a lawyer. So, lately, I discovered that I have not been doing what I'm supposed to do as a wife.

What are the challenges you face in the course of being married to military officer?

The most important thing is to ensure that your marriage really works. If anybody is telling you that his or her marriage is working 100%, that person is not really saying the truth. There would be hiccups but the hiccups should not be an issue. It is always like, I want to eat pounded yam and I'll tell him we have prepared yam flour (amala). So, I wouldn't say there have never been challenges, we do have but the most important thing is to ensure that one comes out of the challenge stronger.

What kind of advise do you have for young ladies who are about to marry?

Sometimes, I do watch television where a husband would say ha! My wife is good, she likes this or that.

Marriage goes beyond love. It entails honesty, maturity and perseverance. During courtship, there are somethings you'll take for granted but once you get married to your husband, that is the end. That is the time marriage starts. The wife at times would be dreaming that this is not the kind of husband he was before. Before, it could have been easier for a wife when she was a spinster to travel to London or anywhere in the world but may be difficult after marriage.

So it is like that. My advice to young ladies who are about to marry is that they should try to

Chief (Mrs.) Jumoke Bamigboye study their spouses. There will be a time your husband would not allow you to travel. You have to get his permission before going anywhere. You have to seek his permission before you go to a party. This is Africa, where the husband is the head of the family.

Even if a wife is older than a husband, let's say two years older, she must obey and bow to her husband and respect him.

Sometimes if couples were invited before the congregation in the church, you will wonder whether they are husbands and wives. Many people don't know anything about marriage. Some women married at the age of 17 or 15 and end up in divorce. They would now go back to their parents. So it is high time we talk to our youth that marriage is not an institution where one just jumps in and jumps out.

There are incessant cases of rape of minors and women in Nigeria. As member of FIDA and a mother, what are your

“

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views on this?

Rape has become a serious issue in Africa. It is becoming so rampant because of moral decadence; morality is at the lowest level. As we blame the men who are doing this, we should also blame women who walk naked on the streets. Before now, we never knew about rape because people were always afraid of the stigma.

But today, people are more aware of the menace. Even husbands rape wives because sexual intercourse should be a mutual agreement; there should be consent of man and woman. If for instance, husband says he wants to do it and a wife says no. If it happens, that is rape.

On this raping of minors, many people do it for ritual and other evil reasons we have some people who are in cults and they were told if they would get power, they must do this and that. To acquire wealth, they also engage in raping minors. Poverty, joblessness are also part of the causes. If a jobless man wants to marry and there is no money to undertake necessary things, the next thing he would be looking for is how to lure a minor and rape her. Another thing is when an adult lures a girl with a biscuit and rapes her. Can you imagine that? Ordinary biscuit for a small girl! There was a day I was going to the office and I saw a lady wearing this transparent cloth. I told her, you should not go out with this kind of dress. Almost all her body was exposed. Just imagine if she went out like that and men saw her nakedness,

before she knows it, she would be a victim of rape.t, We need to talk to our girls, they should dress decently. For jobless youth, they should not wait for government work. Let them find something to do and not hurry to marry. There are some adults that marry minors. These are the issues we need to address.

Why is it that women are running away from law practice?

An average African man wants to be in-change of his wife.

Once a woman gets married, she would have many things to cope with. There are many Chambers in Nigeria that would not employ women lawyers. Because they know they would get married one day, get pregnant, nursing babies and cater for domestic things. In law practice, there are some occasions a lawyer would need to read in the night ahead of a case in the morning. Again, mothers would also care about their children's school. She has to take them to school in the morning and go in the afternoon to pick them up. Another thing is the issue of maternity leave and when she gives birth. That is when so many complaints would arise.

Some women went to law schools not because they want to practice but to just be bearing the name Barrister at Law. There are some lawyers who, after their law school, went into catering service and are making money. There are few women who can't go out in the morning to attend to cases in the courts every day and at the end of the day are given N20,000 as

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

Cover

PAGE 9

North:

Collapsing economy, precarious future

By Aminu Imam, Abdulwahab Isa and Ayodele Samuel

T

h e historical economic divide between North and South Nigeria is being exacerbated by the insecurity that is ravaging most of the Northern region. Activities of religious insurgents in the North have taken their toll on businesses. With manufacturing companies pulling out of the North, experts say the implication is that the economy of the North will be severely undermined.

Former Minister of Defence, General Theophilous Danjuma (retired), has also expressed concern that the northern part of Nigeria may drift into civil war and anarchy. He said the current security and developmental challenges facing the country and the north in particular, have become worrisome and that if not properly addressed, and on time, it could be devastating to the region he advised leaders from the region to stop apportioning blame to each other and instead come together to find solutions these challenges. But a renowned industrialist in Kano, Alhaji Saidu Dattijo Adhama, disagrees, he said the northern elites are to blame for the collapse of industries while Dr. Boniface Chizea, who is a Management and

Financial Consultant laments the neglect of mineral resources in northern Nigeria, saying insecurity in the region is a major threat to its economy.

Manufacturers in Nigeria are however totally devastated by the growing level of insecurity in the country. Ordinarily, insecurity at the level of armed robbery and kidnapping do not deter them but with the emergence of terrorism, which has become a growing phenomenon in the North, manufacturers are unable to cope and cannot sustain the prevailing conventional marketing channel dynamics.

Consequently, the sales volumes of most manufacturers have dropped drastically.

As the goods produced by these manufacturers are no longer sold out because of the shrinking market size, they have decided to produce less to cut their losses. If they had continued to produce the same volume and are unable to distribute widely across the country, as was the case before the crisis, they would end up piling up unsold stocks in their warehouses. For products that have expiry dates, they would soon become obsolete.

The implication of reduced level of production is reduced earnings for the manufacturing companies concerned,

increased costs of production in view of the overhead, which remains constant; and drop in capacity utilisation. If the status quo remains for a longer period of time, the companies' revenue would fall drastically, affecting its profitability.

At the end of the financial year, the companies, especially those quoted in the stock market, would be unable to declare dividends. When the fortunes of the companies continue to drop, shareholders would become restless and may begin to call for drastic actions against the helpless management team. The workforce would be threatened with the attendant labour agitations.

The bleeding of the manufacturing companies is usually unsustainable. To stay alive, the companies would eventually resort to retrenchment. The incidence of retrenchment has only just begun and would soon become more rampant. What has delayed massive retrenchment exercise is the expectation of an early resolution of the crisis.

Most manufacturers we spoke to desired for the restoration of the status quo and for the increase in the demand for their goods and services to enable them provide more quality jobs to the teeming unemployed youth population in Nigeria. They also

want to be a part of the efforts to improve the living standards of the Nigerian citizens.

They explained that businesses thrive better when peace reigns in a country. They desire that peace reigns not only for their benefits but for the benefit of the entire population as industrialisation and economic development and growth bring about wealth creation, employment and prosperity for all.

PZ Cussons Plc is one of the many manufacturers that are thoroughly affected by the impact of social unrest in the north, but according to the company's sources, PZ Cussons is responding by pushing out more distribution in the south and east of the country.

"We've been there for 125 years and just have to readapt to what is happening in the country," he said. Like PZ Cussons, most of the manufacturers are very busy designing, managing, evaluating and modifying their channels in response to the changing circumstances in the business environment.

The manufacturers that seem to be worst hit by the hostility are those involved in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) Contd on Pages 10&11

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Cover

Collapsing economy, precarious future

President Goodluck Jonathan

Gen. Ibrahim Babangida

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari

Contd from Page 9 sub-sector. They belong to the Foods, Beverages and Tobacco Sectoral group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). They include but not limited to manufacturers of soft drinks and carbonated water, flour, tea, coffee and other beverages, dairy products, fruit juice, biscuits and bakery products, animal feeds, sugar, vegetable and edible oil, poultry products, wines and spirits, cocoa, chocolate and sugar confectionery.

Another group that is also badly affected by the effects of the hostility is the Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals sectoral group, made up of manufacturers of paints and allied products; manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, industrial, medical and special gases, soaps and detergents, toiletries and cosmetics, agrochemicals, basic industrial chemicals, petroleum products and so on.

Members of the non-metallic mineral products sectoral group are equally badly affected and these include manufacturers of cement, glass, ceramics, asbestos, school chalks and crayon to name a few.

The increasing level of insecurity is already frustrating efforts by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) to attract investments into the country, its director, policy advocacy and external relations, James Ebuetse lamented recently.

Ebuetse regretted that Nigeria is fast becoming one of the unsafe nations of the world, advising that security is a critical area that needs to be looked into to encourage investments.

"Unless the government shows that it is in charge of this situation, it will scare investment inflow into the country. As long as foreign investors get the perception that government is in charge of the situation, then they will not leave; but if there is a perception that the government has no control over what is happening, then it will lead to investor flight in the long run," he stated .

Figures from the CBN 2010 Annual Report show that total foreign capital inflow into the Nigerian economy in 2010 was $5.99 billion. A breakdown of this amount reveals that the foreign direct investment (FDI) portion was just 12.2 per cent or $668 million, which is a 78.1 per cent drop from $3.31 billion in 2009. This is the third consecutive year of decline in FDI inflow into the country.

The CBN blames the drop in FDI inflow into the country on "poor state of

Emir Ado Bayero

Alh. Atiku Abubakar

Alh. Aliko Mohammed

infrastructure and the global economic uncertainty". The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi recently identified poverty and marginalisation as being partly responsible for the growing violence in Nigeria.

Sanusi said the growing restlessness among the youth, which makes them embrace a life of crime, could be traced to their disillusionment with the system. "I have long held the view that ethnic and religious violence in Nigeria has its roots in poverty, deprivation and perceived marginalisation. I always said this about the militancy in the Delta, while fully condemning it, the truth remains that militants tapped into a groundswell of frustration.

"In addressing that problem, we have gone to an extreme now where the levels of poverty in the North are recreating the same conditions and results we saw in the Delta," Sanusi had said.

He added that it had become necessary to direct funds on regenerating other regions, if Nigeria wants to secure longterm stability. "When you look at the figures and look at the size of the population in the North, you can see that there is a structural imbalance of enormous proportions. Those states simply do not have enough money to meet basic needs while some states have too much money. The imbalance is so stark because the state still depends on oil for more than 80 per cent of its revenues," he said.

The seeming helplessness of the nation's security apparatus to deal with the recurring bombings that have come to define the state of insecurity fuels business uncertainty.

In response to the insurrection, some banks have shut branches in the North or operate shorter hours, while Fast Moving Consumer Goods companies are finding it difficult to transport their products in certain areas, adding to the unemployment and lack of economic opportunity.

"The knock-on effect of such closures is damaging to incomes in the North, since there is not much manufacturing going on", said an industry insider source.

According to analysts, a new net capital flow of $33 billion forecast for Nigeria in 2012 by Morgan Stanley, one of the world's leading investment banks, came under threat by the bombings.

The recent trend in the capital market, however, shows that even portfolio investment may be leaving the country, as the stock market has been on a consistent fall. Traders say that foreign investors may be taking out their funds from the capital market, following the crisis in the international capital markets.

They note, however, that these funds will not flow back easily into the country, if the current insecurity is not resolved by the Federal Government quickly.

One of the sectors also bearing the brunt of the security scare is the aviation industry.

At present, there are several security checkpoints mounted close to most of the major airports in the country. Airlines are now being forced to open their counters earlier than usual because passengers have to come to the airport hours before their flights to avoid missing their flights. Despite that, many have been missing their flights lately.

The checkpoints are causing serious traffic gridlocks and many are not finding the stop-and-search situation palatable. All these are heightening the siege mentality pervading the country.

The rising insecurity in the country has impacted the business sector in no uncertain way. The last few months has seen businesses fret like never before, going by the activities of criminal gangs in the country. From the North to the South, the business community has been hard hit by the activities of these criminal groups that have embarked on a bombing campaign.

The consequence is that investors have all ran for the door, even as businesses put on hold critical investment decisions that could have gone a long way to impact the economy positively.

The pervasive insecurity across the country has affected all sectors of the economy. For example, in Maiduguri, the hotbed of the Boko Haram terrorist activities, the hitherto frequent sirenContd on Page 11

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

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Cover

Collapsing economy, precarious future Contd from Page 10 blaring bullion vans are virtually off the streets which highlight the growing fear of the banking sector.

According to sources, most banks have devised other means of moving cash without attracting public attention.

Most banks, sources claim, have suspended expansion projects in restive parts of the country due to rising insecurity.

In a broader view, experts ascertain that the damage done by pervasive insecurity to the economy as whole is incalculable.

The Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) also affirmed that the security situation in Nigeria has become a major challenge for investors, stressing that the economy of many of the affected states are on the verge of collapse with implication for investment and job losses.

LCCI's Director-General (DG), Muda Yusuf, said this in Lagos recently while explaining the outcome of an evidencebased account of experiences of members of the Chambers and the larger business community on investment climate issues of the second quarter business environment report.

According to him, while the hospitality industry in the affected states has been paralysed, many investors, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), are relocating to other states with the attendant challenges, and inventory and stocks of many companies have been trapped in some locations in the affected states.

According to the LCCI DG, the challenges of the operating environment for business intensified in the second quarter across all sectors, and there were concerns over weak consumer demand reflecting the general downturn in the economy.

He said structural and institutional problems persisted as well, putting pressures on operating cost.

Arguing that many firms have lost up to 30 per cent of their sales, as they can no longer access most part of the northern market, Yusuf said: "Our report shows that manufacturing firms sourcing raw materials from the North are now facing serious challenges, while projects funded by banks in the affected states are now at risk.

"Serious perception problem has been created for the country, as many banks' branches have been closed, sales representatives of many companies have fled the affected states, many projects under construction in the North have been abandoned, security budgets have been scaled up by many firms, while the working hours for others have been drastically reduced."

General Secretary of Hotel and Personal Services Senior Staff Association (HAPSSA), an affiliate of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Dele Dada, said the hotel industry had lost over N1 billion since the Boko Haram insurgency started in the North.

Dada said: "Hotel owners have lost huge revenue to this despicable actions of Boko Haram, and it has also affected the takehome pay of workers. We have a situation that some hotels operate at abysmal percentage, as low as 10 per cent. The government needs to arrest the ugly situation or else the few hotels that manage to operate will close shop.

"The amount we have lost for the past one year is unquantifiable. Put together, we should be talking of over N1 billion loss in the hotel business. In Abuja alone, we have Sheraton Hotel, Transcorp Hilton and all the small hotels.

"Due to the Boko Haram menace, most of the hotels in Kaduna no longer have patronage. In Maiduguri, the international

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Gov. Kashim Shettima

Col. Sambo Dasuki

Gov. Babangida Aliyu

Mal. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Gov. Rotimi Amaechi

hotels are seriously affected. The situation is the same in Gombe," he lamented.

"The North-South economic divide is already substantial; insecurity is now threatening to make it an unbridgeable gulf" says Opeyemi Agbaje, CEO Resources and Trust company, a Lagos-based business advisory firm.

The effect of insecurity on FDI inflows to the North is therefore not surprising, with most FDI announcements in the past year concentrated in the South. SABMiller announced a new $100 million plant at Onitsha; Dangote Cement built an $800 million cement plant in Ibese, Ogun state and have signed a new agreement to build one in Calabar, while the giant superstore, Shoprite has set up most of its retail outlets in South.

The South historically had some natural advantages over the North.

Lagos in the South, which was once the nation's capital, generates over 60 percent of Nigeria's non-oil Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is home to the seaports which are vital to an import dependent economy. The South is also the source of the nation's oil production which historically had attracted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the oil producing areas (in the South).

"The North is far behind the South in terms of education at all levels. This is one of the major reasons that as Nigeria moves away from a state-led economy to a private

sector led one, the South seems to be developing much faster", says Kayode Akindele, partner at 46 Parallel, a Lagos based investment firm. "Until a state of emergency in terms of education, particularly in the North is declared, and the issue is tackled holistically, the North will continue to lag behind the South in the non-public sector economy".

Many observers point out that the North is also not helped by a lack of proper governance by its ruling elite. Akindele says a strategic master-plan that has the buy- in of all the Northern governors who try to tackle the educational deficit and promote primary and agro-processing industries, with the attendant transport infrastructure, must be devised and implemented, to ease the high unemployment rate in the North.

On the macro-economic front, a general atmosphere of peace and security is needed for investment to thrive. A general atmosphere of insecurity leads to high cost of living, as accessibility of certain goods and services becomes difficult, especially in areas where there is a total breakdown of law and order.

The recent Jos crisis led to the scarcity of some farm produce in certain parts of the country, owing to the inability of transporters to find a safe route to bring their commodities down to where they are needed. This led to the scarcity of tomatoes, potatoes, onions and pepper among others.

Experts agree that the prevailing insecurity in the country adds substantial cost of providing goods and services, even as the Transformation Agenda of the President is called into question, because with each bomb explosion in the North, the opportunity to close the economic gap between both regions is being blown away.

The 36 state governors, under the aegis of Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), on May 10, 2012, described the insecurity situation in the country as a national embarrassment and condemnable.

Rising from a meeting at the Rivers State Governor's Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, the governors noted that as part of moves to address the lingering security challenges, an enabling environment will be created for economic development as well as channel more resources towards the empowerment of the citizenry, especially the youth, women and the vulnerable.

Reading the communiquĂŠ at the end of the meeting, chairman of the forum, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state pleaded with Nigerians for understanding with government's efforts at addressing the security situation.

Analysts have warned that unless the Federal Government shows that it is capable of containing the current insecurity precipitated by the series of bombings in the country, the much expected capital inflow will not materialize.

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

Cover Interview Northern elites are to blame for collapse of industries, says Alhaji Saidu Dattijo Adhama

W

hat is the state of the industrial sector in Kano and the north generally?

The state of the sector is pitiful and disheartening, that it needs urgent attention in terms of policy or what I would call legislation, in terms of serious financial intervention.

One of the problems of the sector over the years has been inadequate power supply, what is your own opinion?

We have been talking about power supply over the years and power supply is one of the problems, I agree. But if power improves today, it doesn't mean that industries would be revitalised today, because they are already down, partly caused by inadequate power supply and so many other things. Let me tell you, the real situation from my understanding, the situation of Nigerian industries not only in the north, has been designed to be so. Particularly in the north, until and unless urgent steps are taken seriously without politicising it.

You cannot tell me that 90% of industries in the north collapsed only because there is no electricity. There is no financial institution to back any investment in the north.

Long before the challenges we are facing now, the financial house we had in the north that used to help grass root economy of the north collapsed, which is the Bank of the North.

And the northerners were just watching that happen they didn't bother, they folded their hands and allowed it to go down. It was the only bank that helped our rural economy especially the agricultural sector of the north. So in a nutshell, it is nobody's fault but the fault of the northerners.

Apart from Bank of the North, which other

A renowned industrialist, who is Chairman Adhama Textile Limited Kano, Alhaji Sa’idu Dattijo Adhama, in this interview with Edwin Olofu blamed the collapsed of industries in the north on the northern elites. well as our Textile mill that processes cotton. How then will you not see poverty in the north?

Which industry is working now? Most of the industries that were operating are petro-chemical based, those that make sacks, plastics, polythene bags, nylon bags and so on. But industries that really depend on agricultural raw materials are operating epileptically. Whose fault?

Northern leaders.

Can the industries in the north survive with all these myriads of problems?

Our government must protect our economy instead of protecting foreign economies, even the World Trade Organisation, there is a clause that allows signatory countries to protect their home based industries.

But our government does not do this, though there is hope if we can revisit our previous laws. The laws that we have abrogated that protected our local industries must be revisited.

Go to China or India do they do

Alhaji Adhama institution derailed?

The poverty- fighting commodities in the north, were killed, that is cotton, textile and garment. Although late Umaru Yar'adua's administration tried to revive the sector the programme is still on, thanks to Almighty Allah, my industry is one of the beneficiaries of that revival fund of late Yar'adua.

This area to us, is a poverty fighting sector neglected by the northerners for a very long time now, we blame the

northerners because they know very well that cotton was helping us to fight poverty.

They know the importance of cotton because everybody needs cotton from birth to your burial.

Oil money has made us to be unproductive. The industries that have collapsed and caused unemployment in the north are two mainly, the oil factory that produces cooking oil, groundnut, Sesame and seed cotton, as

what Nigeria is doing? Can you go to China and do what the Chinese are doing here? Let's do what they are doing in their country that made them to succeed, it is as simple as that.

Do you think the security challenge in the north is affecting its economic sector?

Of course, as with any part of the world, when you have security challenges it affects the economy, education, health and so on because security is the backbone of life.

But what are the causes of insecurity in Nigeria? They are mostly injustices to the people, lets be fair then there will be peace, let's make our people productive then there will be peace and use God blessings that he endowed us with in our country but in a situation whereby we all depend on oil, it is to say we are not grateful to God because every geo-political zone is blessed with something unique. After all God gave our region vast land, good climate and other things that he didn't give those that have oil.

“

Our government must protect our economy instead of protecting foreign economies, even the World Trade Organisation, there is a clause that allows signatory countries to protect their home based industries. But our government does not do this

North's economy is losing man hours to security checks —CONCCIMA From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

h e chairman, Conference of Northern States Chambers of Commerce Industries, Mines and Agriculture (CONCCIMA), Alhaji Sanusi Maijama'a has blamed various security check points and restriction of movement across the northern states for losses of man hour.

He said industries in the North are not operating at maximum capacity because of fear of the unknown.

He said the losses of Northern businesses cannot be quantified as the insurgency has not ended.

In a related development, the chairman, Yobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Shettima Bukar Jallaba, lamented that about 75% of business ventures in the state have closed down due to the insurgency.

He said before the crisis, the state witnessed heavy influx of foreigners who transacted various forms of businesses.

"Before the crisis we had people from Chad, Cameroun, Mali, Europe and Germany, even from other parts of Nigeria like Ibadan, Port Harcourt who come to buy our goods in Yobe but now because of the security situation nobody is coming again, we have lost millions of naira to the insurgency.

"Our shops are locked because of fear of attacks, we have more than 2000 members in the chamber but 75% of them have closed shop, we witness low sales daily".

Alhaji Sanusi Maijama'a

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

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Cover Interview

Let's start thinking of Nigeria without oil —Finance expert Dr. Boniface Chizea is a Management and Financial Consultant. In this interview with our Lagos Correspondent Ayodele Samuel, he laments the neglect of mineral resources in northern Nigeria, saying insecurity in the region is a major threat to its economy. Excerpts:

H

o w will you describe the Nigerian economy, since the beginning of the Boko Haram insurgency and its effect on the economy?

I think the Nigerian economy, so far by the statistics we reproduce, is doing well. If you look at the economy in respect of gross domestic product and if you look at the figures as produced by Bureau for Statistics, the official organ in charge of data for the country, we are growing about six to seven percent and if we are going that way, you would know that nominally the economy is doing well.

Of course overall we have issues in the sense that you see the growth and then you look at an average person on the street and then you ask yourself if this data we are producing, this rate of growth we are producing, is it being manifested in the lives of the citizens. And so when you come to the level of the individual, you find out that there are sufficient issues mainly infrastructural issues and issues of unemployment across the country.

When you now look at the quality of life of a person, you look at insecurity not just in the North; it's just that various areas have various variants of insecurity.

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara state got killed in Enugu, he went to visit his people at home and he was killed, and you find out that the security agents are having challenges and finding it difficult to cope with the spate of insecurity in the land.

Now let's go to the northern part of the country. I listened to the Governor of Niger state, I read his comments and I align myself with these comments that basically if the state of insecurity in the North continues the way we are having now, in the next three years the economy of the North would be extinct. If somebody wants to commit suicide bombing, it's not possible to have security in every corner or place. So the challenge is for us to begin to re-orientate and begin to do more of intelligence gathering. The way arms and ammunition are getting into the country, the way people are utilising them, what makes that possible, who are their sponsors, how do they come in? These are the things we need to do. And the government also should have the political will that those who are arrested should be punished.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has reduced in

some parts of the country, what could be its effect on the economy?

O b v i o u s l y , everybody should know that; it does not require an expert to know that. We have seen in the papers that we have been rated as one of the most altercative investment destinations.

Everybody knows the level of foreign d i r e c t investment o f the

of how to diversify the economy, how to diversify other sources of income especially when you have an economy were 95% of government revenue comes from one product. That is dangerous.

Once oil goes we can experience what we had during the Shagari regime where consumables were not really available. We were queuing to buy things like detergent, soap, milk and so forth - it happened in this country for those who are old enough … it can happen again.

If there is a collapse in the price of oil tomorrow, this economy is finished. What is happening in Greece is the same thing that will happen here. They had challenges and they did not wake up to tackle them.

Look at what is happening in Nigeria, look at the PIB, it's there languishing in the National Assembly for so long, and then people are playing politics with it. We should be finding new sources of oil.

But people are not coming in because they are not sure of the environment so you cannot come and begin to put your money in an environment that is not predictable. If you look at what is happening in the North, the investments drive there is very low. Many countries are warning their citizens to stay clear of the region. I was born in Plateau, the whole of that area is tin, columbite and so on; and even in the West there are places we can get gold in large quantities from the ground. The North is the home of solid minerals but with insecurity, it's very difficult to explore them.

We should begin to diversify and explore those things instead of over concentrating on oil. We are over concentrating on oil, the environment is destroyed, the people are suffering they are not getting the benefit and this is so because we are not developing other sources of revenue for the country. If we begin to do that, all this question of either 10% or 13% derivation will begin to disappear.

What is happening today is that everybody is concentrating on sharing this oil cake but nobody is thinking of enlarging this country so that its resources would go round. There are indications that they could find oil in the Chad Basin, why not? Let's find oil across the length and breadth of this country so that the issue of Niger Delta, insecurity, pipeline vandalism will shift and it would be better for all of us and the country.

“

Dr. Boniface Chizea

economy especially outside the extractive sector of this country. It's what we should be worried about because we should be thinking of Nigeria without oil.

If you see what is happening in the northern part of the world and you see what is happening in Nigeria, we are riding the storm as it were because of the oil we have. But that oil is a waiting asset so we need to think

If there is a collapse in the price of oil tomorrow, this economy is finished. What is happening in Greece is the same thing that will happen here. They had challenges and they did not wake up to tackle them. Look at what is happening in Nigeria, look at the PIB, it's there languishing in the National Assembly for so long, and then people are playing politics with it. We should be finding new sources of oil.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

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Interview

us to achieve the intended development by empowering ourselves more in a way that we would be relevant in the society.

We would reach out to the Student Union Government (SUG), National Association of the Nigerian Students (NANS), we will go from the grassroots, from our wards and change the mindsets of our Nigerian youths.

We can protect their interest only if they know their rights because you cannot contribute to the life of anyone who does not know what he or she wants.

We will change their mindset towards what is good for them, their future and the country in

general. We will give teamwork a priority. We will go round the country and tell them that we are ready and this is what we want; with that, the Federal Government would contribute a lot because they so much depend on us.

What lapses can you identify in the NYCN and how do you intend to correct such if any?

The lapses in the NYCN is that there is so much self interest, lack of exposure, so much conflict of interest within the council and the main point I say all the time is that the council lacks teamwork. For example few weeks ago there was killing of students at the Keffi University in Nasarawa state, after this killing what was the NYCN suppose to do? They are supposed to lead the Federal Government to the university to condole with the students and their parents.

When there was a killing in Colorado in United States, Barrack Obama went there and condoled with the parents of the victims. But in Nigeria it is different. The NYCN is supposed to propose to the Nigerian president that we want him to be there, that we are going to host you when you come to Nasarawa state. It is our responsibility and that is some of the lapses and some of the ignorance that we have in the council.

When I assume office, these are some of the things I would encourage, even the president would involve the youths in some of his dealings because we have made ourselves relevant and he has seen some laudable things that we have been doing.

He would involve us because as long as we are doing these, we are protecting the country, the youths and the president will work hand in hand with us.

he revealed.

"We liaise with the communication companies to purchase recharge and sim cards from them. They even sell registered sim cards to us," he said, noting that the profit he makes is little, but sufficient for him to fend for his family. " You notice that the amount of the profit is little, but it is sufficient for me to fend for my family. It all depends on the determination of a person and I am happy for that."

Asked why he opted to engage in selling recharge cards, not street begging, Umar expressed his loathing thus: "Notwithstanding the fact that I am a cripple, I find street begging a bad business and very disgusting. I have a strong mind to look for my own way of living; I don't want to beg for anything from anybody."

"I prefer to go and find a job to fend for my family, eat, drink and buy clothes, rather than going on the street begging for money," Umar added.

Umar urge disabled people to refrain from begging and find a job that will help them in their life. He also appealed to the Kano state government to empower their business and consider the plight of physically challenged people and to provide succour for them in order for them to refrain from begging.

"Let me use this medium to appeal to Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to empower us through our business. There are many of us that are physically challenged and engaged in this

business. I appeal to the government to help us with the sum of N200, 000 each or help us persuade the company to supply us with the cards on credit so that we can pay back after selling."

"I also urge other disabled people who engage in street begging to refrain from begging," he appealed because Allah frowns at it, it is better to strive to survive.

Mohammed Sabiu, another physically challenged recharge cards seller, said he has been in the business for half a decade and described the venture as profitable.

"I started this business about five years ago and I am enjoying it because it is profitable."

Sabiu, who hails from Bakin Ruwa area of Dala local government, Kano, revealed that his ambition, since childhood, was to become a business man.

"I had the ambition of becoming a business man since my childhood. I want to be a model in the business for people to see what I am doing and become impressed. I thank God for this feat."

Sabiu said that among the businesses in the world, he has found recharge card dealing to be interesting and easier.

"I have chosen to engage in this business because I have more interest in it and it is easier for me. On how much he makes a day, Sabiu told Peoples Daily Weekend that he cannot specify how much he makes in a day.

Nigerian Youths Council (NYC) needs more viable leadership, says Danpullo Jibril Hamza Danpullo, from Kano state is aspiring for the seat of the President of the National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN). In this interview with Adeola Tukuru, he speaks on his plans towards transforming the council, by creating more awareness among Nigerian youths, and the challenges facing past administrations of the council. Excerpts:

W

hy are you contesting for the seat of the president of the National Youths Council of Nigeria?

As you know, the National Youth Council (NYC) has been in existence since 1964 and since its inception, the past presidents of the council have done extremely well but I think that we have much more to do in terms of entrepreneurship, awareness, eliminating violence among youths and so on. I want to be part of it as the younger generation who are inspired, motivated within themselves to do something great for their country and live a legacy at the national service level even if we are no more alive.

How can you access the Federal Government in terms of its contributions to youth development in the

country?

In my opinion, the Federal Government is contributing a lot to towards the development of the Nigerian youths but the problem lies with the youths. The Federal Government is involved in so many projects, so many activities and we the youths are supposed to propose to them what we want, how we can change and bring other issues that would generate funds by empowering our economy.

In so many political parties in Nigeria, the youths are only used during the election; we are just there doing nothing, we are just out to satisfy our own personal interest which is very dangerous in this our generation. So, I think the Federal Government is contributing a lot but we the youths are not doing anything to show them that we are creative, oriented and talented. So, I think it all depends on us and we should

We want Governor Kwankwaso to support our recharge card business – Cripple

Surajo Musa

He is physically challenged, but Surajo Musa Umar, is not deterred and Adamu. makes a living everyday from selling recharge cards and sim cards. He spoke with Mustapher Adamu

Danpullo start now.

How do you intend to protect, promote the rights and welfare of the Nigerian youths when elected to the office?

My priority is to be the voice of the Nigerian youths as it was before and as it is in so many other countries, so we will do that by transforming them, informing them to bring awareness and team work within and outside the council.

However, I as the president, cannot contribute towards the development of the council alone. I will need my exco to work hand in hand in other for

I

must thank God because I make about N2, 000 everyday from selling recharge cards and sim cards. I sometimes make more than that, depending on the market, but sometimes, I make lower sales too," he said.

Speaking with Peoples Daily Weekend at his kiosk, situated along Bompai road in Kano metropolis, Umar, a resident of Layin Famfo, Brigade area of Nasarawa local government, Kano, said he has been in the business for more than a decade, since the beginning of GSM in Nigeria and he ventured into the business with just N3, 000.

"I have been in this business since the coming of GSM, more than 10 years ago. I started with only N3,000 and its thriving."

Umar continued to give insight on how he purchases the cards from dealers to sell to regular consumers, saying, "I buy the recharge cards and sim cards from my regular wholesaler. I purchase the cards of all these existing communication companies like MTN, Airtel, Visafone, Glo, Etisalat etc, at wholesale price and we the retailers add on the price to make our own profit." " I sell recharge cards of N100 to N1500 and get N5 on each N100 recharge card. For instance, if I sell a N100 recharge card, I will get N5, for a N200, I will get N10, for a N400, I will get N20, for N500, I will get N25, for N1000, I will get N50 profit,"

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 15

Interview Alhaji Sale Husseini is the Bauchi state Coordinator of a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), Civil Awareness and Economic Empowerment Initiatives (CAEI), established with the aims of empowering youth and women. In this interview with our correspondent, Ahmed Kaigama in Bauchi, he speaks on the empowerment programme of the NGO, challenges among other issues. Excerpts:

C

an you tell us the aims and objectives of CAEI The organisation is out to empower people right from the top, down to down trodden.

You see, it is a package that is aimed at eradicating poverty, political thuggery as well as educate and empower the people in order to alleviate the suffering of the less privileged in the society. We have embarked on empowerment programme which will benefit more than 6, 000 youths and women in the state.

In this empowerment programme, we distribute tricycles, motorcycles, rice, fertiliser for farmers and many other things that are difficult to get by the poor people. CAEI will act as intermediary between the company that purchased the items to be distributed to the beneficiaries because purchase of the items is not easy. People want the items but they don't have the capacity to posses these items, so CAEI will serve as an intermediary and it will collect these items through bank guarantee and then give it to people at the grassroots. We don't need collateral; all we need is that people with proven integrity will identify you at the grassroots, they know you, they know your background, your parents so they can pick you and then sponsor you as a beneficiary. I mean people who know that if you collect CAEI property you will pay, so there is a time frame for payment.

For example, a widow with children can be trained and be given a loan to start a business to sustain her and her family and she will be allowed to pay back gradually.

promoters at the ward level, these people are carefully selected, either a village head or from traditional institutions, the head of that 250 persons will be a person that has some traditional title, so they are the ones that will screen beneficiaries, they will identify any one that needs assistance then pick him or her and the person will be empowered. As you know each individual you empower will be capable of taking care of his or her family and be self reliant. So the criteria are that these 250 will help us to select people that need assistance in their communities.

How do you identify and select the beneficiaries of your programme?

We have 250 persons we call

Is this programme a continuous one?

We are starting on a small scale, by the time people know

We are targeting N20bn for youth empowerment in Bauchi'

Do you intend to train the beneficiaries?

You cannot do this without training people; these people need to be trained. When they are trained, they will know what they are suppose to do. We have our revenue collectors among the trainers, they know when to collect and then we have our principal that will also take programme for education.

What are the measures in place to ensure that the beneficiaries utilise the loan to achieve the intended objective?

We will sensitise them first.

You know before somebody benefits, you have to get a guarantor. Somebody in your own community will guarantee you, so the guarantor is somebody that will identify you, will agree to stand by the beneficiary so that he or she monitors what you are doing so that there will be no mismanagement.

When mismanagement is identified in the middle of it, we will stop you and collect what is remaining.

“

Sale Husseini what we are doing, we will now expand, we give farmers fertilisers so that they will pay in six months, so if we give any farmer fertiliser worth of N60, 000 and ask him to be paying 10,000 every month, that means by end of six months even the crop you planted might have been

We have 250 persons we call promoters at the ward level, these people are carefully selected, either a village head or from traditional institutions, the head of that 250 persons will be a person that has some traditional title, so they are the ones that will screen beneficiaries, they will identify any one that needs assistance then pick him or her and the person will be empowered.

harvested, so the money that you will need to buy fertiliser can be converted for other things.

How much are you investing in the programme?

It all depends but we are targeting about N20 billion in Bauchi state which will be given out to the beneficiaries.

Some people will be given tricycles, motorcycles, fertilizers and beads making machines among other businesses.

Is this programme established in Bauchi state alone or do you have plan of extending it to other states?

It is all over the country.

There is the national executive council in the state, the local government executive council and the ward executive council, so this is all over the federation.

How do you source for funds, do you have donors?

We are expecting foreign donors because anything that is aimed at educating the less privileged, you will find international donor agencies are interested, anything that is intended to empower women, you will get international donor agencies coming into it and then any other thing that is intended to empower the less privilege, the orphans, you will see they are there waiting, they want to see our own take off and they will intervene.

What is your message to the people?

All I need is to tell people to have faith in CAEI, for example, the suppliers, let them know that if they released their items, let them be assured that their money will be paid and officers of CAEI must fear Allah and know the responsibility been given to them.

PAGE 16

Digest

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

Sultan of Brunei's Supercar Collection: $300,000,000 and Counting

H

ow good would you look in one of these? Better ask the Sultan for permission first.

With thousands of dream cars to go through, most of which are still part of the Sultan of Brunei's rotting supercar collection, narrowing this down to a few favorites was no easy task. But here at CarBuzz we thrive on challenges and sorting through the Sultan's awesomely immense stash of luxury and ultra rare vehicles (worth an estimated $300,000,000), which can fill five garages the size of airplane hangars. We took the time to sort through the list and found a few we thought you'd all like.

If you're in need of a real life example of wretched billionaire excess, look no further than the Sultan's RollsRoyce wedding car.

Apparently the Sultan of Brunei is a big fan of all things gold, including his very own Gold Plated Rolls-Royce made with 24k pure gold.

Not stopping there, the Sultan made sure the world's most expensive Rolls Royce, which just happens to be one of the most expensive cars in the entire world, is also gathering dust in one of his multiple storage hangars.

He purchased the Star of India for a paltry $14 million.

When the Sultan is in the need for speed, he most likely would try to locate his Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR. Adding his own personal touch, he made sure this would be the world's sole right-hand-drive version of a car originally designed to race in the FIA GT Championship. The GTR has a whopping 6.9-litre V12 engine producing around 612hp and goes from 0-60mph faster than

you can say furious.

The Sultan's taste for Ferraris is legendary, with well over 300 in his collection. But the Ferrari FX may very well be the icing on the cake. This is a supercar based on the F512M but enclosed with a custombuilt looking body and rumored to have a seven-speed transmission from British F1

Team Williams.

The only 6 F90 Ferrari Testarossa Speciale's in the entire world are also owned and at the personal disposal of the Sultan. All of the F90's use a Ferrari Testarossa chassis with the engines coming from stock units, producing 390hp that's sent to the rear wheels. The custom interior is surrounded

with a glass greenhouse and a fully removable sunroof.

To top it all off is his collection of eight McLaren F1s, which of course include GT and LM

editions. After McLaren made history by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in their first attempt in 1995, they built five LM's to celebrate.

Three of them are now wasting away somewhere in the lands of Brunei.

His daughter at her wedding

Toilet in gold

Rest room in his private jet

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 17 With Sonde Abbah 0803-2159-249 (SMS only) asonde@yahoo.com

Sultan’s words of wisdom W e want to use this opportunity to call on the government, especially Mr. President, to see how he can declare total amnesty to all combatants without thinking twice.

That will make any other person who picks up arms to be termed a criminal.”

With these words, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar, emphasized the need for the Goodluck Jonathan administration to take the bull by the horns, so to say, and possibly end the Boko Haram menace once and for all.

The Sultan is, of course, not the first advocate of amnesty. Several other statesmen have toed the same path in recent times.

It’s now up to Aso Rock to stoop to conquer. And also up to Boko Haram to sheat its sword. The earlier this unpleasant cup passes over us, the better.

I

WENGER: Price of low ambition

A

r s e n a l football club of England’s coach, Arsene Wenger, famously declared recently that his team’s top priority every season is to secure qualification for the Champions League. And it shows; Arsenal haven’t won a single trophy in the past eight years.

They need a miracle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Squatting at a lowly fifth position (by Arsenal’s lofty standards) and with fellow London-based Chelsea and Spurs seemingly in a better position, Wenger is now in danger of missing his relatively low goal.

Not a few people out there would certainly see this mess as the price Arsenal must pay for aiming too

low. In fact, in the past eight years “the Gunners” have earned universal notoriety as a quad that does not think twice before selling its best players.

Consider their last match versus Spurs on Sunday. Imagine what would have happened if Wenger’s team were “armed” with the likes of Robin van Persie, Fabregas, and even Thiery Henry. Any of those exArsenal players would have made the difference for the “gonners”.

Instead, shorn of top class players in the mould of Van Persie and his ilk, Arsenal lost yet another crucial match. They faltered and fumbled when it mattered most. Just like they have been fumbling for nearly one decade now.

Bala Mohammed as ‘Mr Eye Service’

Y

ou have heard that King Nero fiddled while Rome burned.

You may not have heard that “King” Bala Mohammed is fiddling while the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) burns. But if the word on the street is anything to go by, the incumbent FCT Minister has become adept at his favourite pastime: indulging in shameless eye service while the Territory bleeds.

The FCT helmsman is particularly fond of bending over

IG and slaughter of top cops

backward to please the First Family.

For instance, virtually all the streets worth naming or renaming have been named after Goodluck Jonathan and Dame Patience Jonathan.

Meanwhile, critical assignments are desperately begging for attention all over the FCT. With the Chief Executive obsessed with seemingly never ending eyeservice, is anyone still wondering why retrogression has taken over the capital city.

t is no longer news that armed robbers, terrorists, and sundry other criminals frequently kill Nigreian policemen in action. A new dimension has, however, been introduced to the mowing down of our cops. Within only a few days, a number of high ranking police officers were killed by suspected hired assassins.

Consider Chinweike Asadu, the Kwara State Police Commissioner; he was gunned down like a common chicken at his Enugu residence last weekend by a gang of unidentified assassins.

As the nation was still stunned

by Asadu’ s gruesome murder, about half a dozen other police chiefs were brutally hacked down between last Monday and Tuesday alone, in different parts of the country, notably Borno State. As if killing a cop were as easy as swatting a fly. What a tragedy. What a shame to the nation.

Even as we mourn the two fallen Police Chiefs’ tragic demise, all eyes are focused on the Inspector General of Police. What will he and his top officers do? Will they allow the perpetrators go scot free, given the number of unresolved murder cases across the land? Or will they perform according to expectations, at least for the sake of their fallen colleagues? We shall see.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 18

Relationship If you have any relationship story you want to share with our readers, please send to the above address.

Let's share your love story.

6 ways to avoid dating a narcissists

Heart Matterz With A'isha Biola Raji E-mail: rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com Phone: 08082071393 (Text only)

My in-laws want me to have abortion in exchange for a bank job

M

y name is Jokotade, I have been married for three years and my first child is two years old.

It all started when my husband lost his job at an oil company. Before then, I was told by my in-laws to remain a full time housewife. After my husband lost his job, they also called a meeting that, I should start a job in order to support my family, I agreed.

At that time, I was one month pregnant with the second baby. I applied at a bank. While

A

narcissist is a man who cares more about his needs than yours, a guy who runs for the hills when you begin to fall in love.

How do you easily spot a narcissist so you can stop dating him/her at once and for all?

It's pretty easy to spot the classic narcissist. Narcissism is defined as extreme selfishness, with a splendid view of one's own talents and a craving for admiration.

It's a bit more complex when the man you're dating is cleverly cloaked as the charming "nice guy." It's intoxicating to be around him.

He's fun and exciting. It feels like he's your true soul connection.

It's easy to lose your head and heart once you become emotionally.

If you learn how to spot a narcissist from the outset of a relationship, you can stop dating him right away. You won't experience the shock and heartbreak. And soon you'll begin to attract healthier relationships into your life.

Here are six ways to recognize and stop dating a narcissist When you express your needs, he gets defensive: A narcissist puts his own needs first. He doesn't care about what matters to you, and will defend himself instead of apologizing.

Address it the first time this happens and see how he

responds. If he can't respect and honor your needs, walk away.

When the going gets tough, he gets going: A narcissist can't handle the pressures of your emotional life.

He will be there for the fun times, but as soon as you have any type of personal crisis, he won't be there to support you. A good relationship is built on mutual support. This guy will not be there for you in tough times. Leave now, before it gets harder.

When he's hurt, he doesn't feel sad: He feels rage.

If you express that you're upset with something he said or did, he will rage at you and deflect responsibility for his actions. A healthy relationship is one in which both parties feel safe, can express their needs without judgment, and take full responsibility for their contribution to the problem. If he can't do this, you should not stay with him.

He runs hot and cold: Narcissists will give you mixed signals. He'll be really into you, telling you that you're the most incredible woman he's ever met, and the next day, he is pulling away, acting aloof. It is crazy making. If you see these signs early on, it'll be easier for you to make a clean break.

He gets angry when you discuss exclusivity: Narcissists are often enamored with their freedom. If you talk to him about commitment

after you've been dating for a few months, he will probably feel like a caged bird and blame you for wanting to box him in.

In a healthy relationship, if one person is not ready to be exclusive, you can talk about it in a respectful way. You both get to choose whether it makes sense to stay or go. If a man is not on the same page as you in terms of monogamy, leave him to make room for one who wants an exclusive relationship.

His actions and words don't match: Pay attention to what he does more than what he says. Many narcissists are wordsmiths. They lure you in with their charming words, but they don't follow through with their actions. If it's too good to be true, it usually is. If he exhibits any of the above behaviors, you should get out of this relationship as soon as possible.

Don't make demands on him to change. He won't: Don't nag him or play games with him, such as making him chase you by playing hard to get. These tactics will never get him to be the kind of guy with whom you can forge a healthy relationship.

Do speak to him with firm conviction. Tell him that this relationship is not working for you. And this is crucial: walk away, never to look back and hope for reconciliation. www.naij.com

feeling the form, I was advised by my in-laws to apply as 'single' in order to facilitate my employment. I did and was later called for an interview.

Now I am waiting to attend the interview, I carelessly told my sister in-law that I am expecting a baby. She wasn't happy with the news, she informed my motherin-law and they have been pestering me to go for abortion before the interview.

I don't want to lose my baby, what should I do?

—Tade

Her friend keeps coming between us

T

h e r e is a girl I am very much interested in, her name is Fatimah, from the way she reacts whenever I speak to her, I am sure she feels the same way about me too. But there is a problem, her friend Amina seem not to like me.

Whenever I call Fatimah to have a chat with her, Amina is always there to distract her. I don't know what makes her behave this way towards me.

I have tried so many times to develop good relationship with her (Amina) so she won't be a hindrance to us but to no avail.

—Musa

Re - Should I forget him and move on

Y

o u should not forget him. A time will come when he will surely develop feelings for you like you feel for him.

Remember that, there is time for everything. Read Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verse 1 - Ephraim S Jigal from Area 10 Abuja, Embassy of Peoples Republic of China in Nigeria.

PAGE 19

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

Beauty Tips Nigerian girl with waist length hair tells you how to say bye bye to Brazilian hair

O

ne of the major issues that African women face in terms of beauty and style is hair care, more precisely hair growth and maintenance.

In many attempts to grow our natural hair there have been a lot of failed attempts and rumoured concoctions including peanut butter and beer, palm oil and flour, vinegar and pepper and even urine (eek!)…the list goes on and it gets even more ridiculous.

The simple truth is that contrary to popular belief - African hair is simply fabulous! It grows in its natural or relaxed state. With this knowledge it is easy to actually take out the time and dedication you need to get your hair to whatever length you wish. It is a possible battle to win and instead of spending large amounts of money buying, fixing and maintaining artificial hair, you could spend less than half of that developing your natural tresses.

To further convince you that growing your hair is possible, we found a Nigerian girl who did just that!

Bassey Akan has successfully grown her hair to an impressive waist length in 9 months. She gives us some tips and insight to how you can grow yours.

There is a general misconception that only mixed race African women can grow really long hair. Tell us about your heritage.

I am purely Nigerian. My Dad is from Akwa Ibom and my mum from Cross Rivers state.

Why did you decide to "grow" your hair?

While in University, there were several black girls who had naturally long hair.

Granted they were all mixed but I just felt that there was no logical reason why I

couldn't have long hair too. I mean, my hair was growing. The fact that I had to get my hair roots done every 6 to 8 weeks was proof that my hair was growing so it was only logical to expect my hair to get longer over time. However, as is the case with some of us, my hair was a perpetual chin length bob.

I started researching black hair care, stopped depending on my stylist and started learning how to care for my hair myself and within weeks I was seeing results. This motivated me to keep going and I haven't looked back since.

With respect to the procedure, it can be categorized in 3 ways: a) Technique: Making sure to comb gently, choosing protective/low manipulation styles, detangling only while wet and saturated with conditioner, combing from tip to root, wrapping with a silk scarf at night, moisturizing and sealing the hair often. b) Products: Making sure to use products that meet my hairs needs. I have very dry hair so using moisturizing and lubricating products is key for me to prevent breakage. c) Tools: Making sure to use the right tools e.g wide toothed combs with no seams or rough edges that can snag and/or rip my hair, using only high quality hot tools that distribute heat evenly and using very sharp scissors when trimming to prevent jagged edges which can cause split ends etc…

Talking about tools, products and techniques, how did you get your hair to grow so long?

Using the right product is a very important part of growing your hair out.

However, there are so many great products

out there and what works for one person may not necessarily work for the other.

There is a bit of trial and error required to determine what really works for your hair.

The key thing for black hair and especially relaxed hair is to keep the hair moisturized and lubricated. It is worth noting that oil does not moisturize hair, water does, so it is important to wet and condition (co wash) your hair at least once a week. Look for shampoos and conditioners that are

and acceptable as I would like but I think we are getting there. In my opinion, natural hair is healthier and stronger than relaxed hair and has a better chance of growing longer (once you understand how to safely detangle).

From your blog, we can see that you still have how- to videos and styling tips for artificial hair even though your hair is long.

Is that a preference for you or is there something more to it?

It's a number of things. I wear wigs because they are a way to protect and give my hair a break. It also allows me the option of wearing different styles.

What do you think about the fact that African women all over spend such large amounts of money on weaves and maintenance?

You know, I think it's fine. I wear weaves, wigs and extensions too. I don't think there is anything wrong with it. I just think that weaves should be an option, not a necessity.

We should be able to wear our own hair out too and feel just as beautiful or maybe even more beautiful than when we wear weaves.

moisturizing and listen to your hair because again, what works for one person may not necessarily work for another.

Protective styling has also helped me a lot. Protective styling is basically styling your hair in a way that the ends are tucked in and protected from the elements (wind/ air, friction with clothes, extreme temperatures etc). This way you are able to retain moisture and prevent breakage.

Wigs, buns and sew in weaves are all protective styles.

Generally when women decide to grow their hair they go natural. What do you think?

I love that I am seeing a lot more women going natural. It's not yet as widespread

Weather affects hair growth a lot.

When you're out of the country how do you deal with that?

I am in Canada right now and the Canadian winter can be really hard on hair. It is extremely drying, so is the harmattan. I keep my hair from drying out by co washing, oiling with extra virgin olive oil twice a week and protective styling as much as possible.

How well do your nails grow? because a lot of the nutrients that support hair growth do the same for nails.

Oh yes, nutrients that help in nail growth also help in hair growth. I did at some point take hair, skin and nails vitamins and I noticed a difference but I couldn't sustain taking all those pills so I stopped. I would say that my nails grow at the average rate. ...to be continued

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 20

Learning Book Review

Fine Boys

S

eething with idleness and nonchalance, sick of watching his parents fight, 16-year-old Ewaen is waiting for university to begin, waiting for something to happen.

Months later, Ewaen and friends are finally enrolled as freshmen at the University of Benin.

Their routine now consists of hanging out in a parking lot trading jibes, chasing girls and sex, and learning to manage the staff strikes and crumbling infrastructure.

But Nigerian campuses in the 1990s can be dangerous places, too.

Violent confraternities stake territories and stalk for new recruits. An incident of petty crime snowballs into tragedy‌ Fine Boys is Eghosa Imasuen's second novel.

In the witty, colloquial style fast becoming his trademark, Imasuen presents everyday Nigerian life against the backdrop of the prodemocracy riots of the 1980s and '90s, the lost hopes of June 12th, and

the terror of the Abacha years. Indeed Fine Boys is a chronicle of not just a time in Nigeria, but its post-Biafran generation.

Drift

I

n the little town where I live in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, we now have a "Public Safety Complex" around the corner from what used to be our hokey Andy Griffithesque fire station. In the cascade of post-9/11 Homeland Security money in the first term of the George W. Bush administration, our town's share of the loot bought us a new fire truck - one that turned out to be a few feet longer than the garage where the town kept our old fire truck. So then we got some more Homeland money to build something big enough to house the new truck. In homage to the origin of the funding, the local auto detailer airbrushed on the side of the new truck a patriotic tableau of a billowing flaglike banner, a really big bald eagle, and the burning World Trade Center towers.

Samba, Spiderbots And 'Summer' Love In Far-Future Brazil

I

n the 17th century, fugitive slaves founded a free community in the mountains of northeastern Brazil.

They called it Palmares.

Contemporary accounts describe the courtyards and the fountains, the churches and council meetings of that sprawling settlement, which survived for decades before a concerted military effort

by Portuguese colonists wiped it out in 1695.

Fast-forward several centuries, past a nuclear apocalypse that has scrambled climates and countries, and we come to the founding of Palmares Tres, the great pyramid-shaped city on a Brazilian bay, where author Alaya Dawn Johnson sets her new young-adult novel, The Summer Prince.

Founded and ruled by women, the city ascends in tiers - from the algaefarm slums at its base to the queen's quarters at its tip - and it runs on a rich, strange mix of nanotechnology and archaic ritual.

The first queens of Palmares Tres devised a unique system of transferring power: Each woman can rule for up to two five-year terms.

Every five years, the city elects a Summer King, who rules for one year with all the charisma of a rock star - and then dies in bloody sacrifice, choosing the next queen in his death throes; a dying man's choice is thought to be incorruptible. As the

book opens, the city is preparing to elect a new Summer King, and teenager June Costa recalls the first time she saw the sacrifice. "When I was eight, my papai took me to the park to watch a king die," she says. "Queen Serafina stood in a stark room of

wood and stone - the high shrine. I liked her because her skin was dark and glossy and her hair silk-smooth. I had even gotten a Queen Serafina doll for my birthday last June. But today her face was fierce and still; today she held a blade in her hand."

Nothing Comes Close

C

onfident, sassy, career girl, Lola meets cool, handsome, unpredictable hunk, Wole at a party in London. He pushes all the right buttons for her, and sparks fly. Wole is also irresistibly drawn to Lola, and before long, they get together in a wonderful romance. But Wole is not all that he seems, and he is holding back some dark secrets.

Things start to unravel when Wole's past begins to catch up with him and Lola has to decide if Wole is worth the trouble that threatens to overwhelm her. Find out in this captivating book if their love will overcome the trials of a murder investigation, an arrest, a meddling relative and a trip halfway across the world, or whether they both give up and go their separate ways.

My harrowing experience on Kontagora-YauriBirnin Kebbi road

By Miriam Humbe

W

hen veteran journalist and former publisher of Great Republic newspapers and Ajiyan Yauri, Alhaji Abdullahi Yelwa, with whom I had worked closely for some two full years called to announce the forth coming wedding of his medical doctor daughter, Dr. Farida to Nura, a Umar Aliyu, I looked forward to attending the occasion with much enthusiasm. For one, I had never set foot on the Kebbi soil before. The wedding that lasted for some four days was full of fun and excitement as it recorded a huge success.

People from all walks of life converged on Yauri to honour the Ajiya who has paid his dues in various aspects of life. All the venues of the four-day events that took place last weekend were filled to capacity. It was a home-coming for most of the family members based outside Yauri even as residents of the town ensured they attended all the events.

Having bid Abuja goodbye on Thursday morning by 8 am in the school bus of Parliament International School, Abuja, which conveyed members of staff of the school including I and my former colleague at Great Republic, we finally arrived Yauri at about 4 pm later in the day after a brief stopover at Kontagora for some refreshment.

It turned out to be the most traumatising journey I have embarked on in the past few years of my life.

The Kontagora-YauriBirnin Kebbi road constructed by the Murtala Mohammed regime in 1976, is a death trap. With potholes at virtually all the nearly 300 kilometres that makes up the road, our vehicle had to divert into the bush at some point in search of a path. At some point, our hearts nearly melted within us as the vehicle nearly went flying in the air from trying to dodge a pothole. We arrived Yauri exhausted and worn out.

During our four day stay in Yauri, we were

enmeshed in the euphoria of the celebrations. But the days soon passed and we were journey bound back to Abuja. Then, the nightmare began. The road at some few kilometres from Yauri before Kontagora is almost cut into two parts owing to erosion. This is apart from the large gullies on the entire road due to decades of neglect.

But the importance of that Trunk "A" road to the economic prosperity of Nigeria cannot be overemphasised. Heavy duty trucks were seen conveying large quantities of food stuff ranging from water melon to onions, beans and textiles to various cities across the country as they manoeuvred their way through the dilapidated road that leads to Sokoto, the City of the Caliphate.

Kebbi state, particularly Yauri, is also home to large quantities of mineral deposits such as gold. My tour guide, Alhaji Sanusi Baba Yauri narrated how his cousin became a multi millionaire after picking some three pebbles of gold from a mining site after a heavy down pour. The gold weighed worth seven million naira in its raw form. The River Niger which passes through the state also provides fish in commercial quantities.

The Yauri market which holds every four days is an international market of sorts. Traders throng there from Benin Republic, Cameroun, Niger and Chad with various wares such as textiles and other goods.

They also buy stuff like fish and onions from Yauri.

It behoves on the Federal Government to allow the wind of change blowing in the roads sector in other parts of the country to also pass through Kebbi state. The Minister for Works, Arc Mike Onolememen will do some good to visit the state for a first hand assessment in order to include it in the budget as one of the roads deserving a touch of the Transformation Agenda of the government.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

Healthy Living Deafness: How Stephanie, 10, got her hearing back

By A'isha Biola Raji

T

h e ear, one of the five sensory organs is as important to humans as any other part of the body. Loss of hearing can socially and psychologically be depressing, hence the surge for cochlear implant. Generally speaking, cochlear implants are for patients with severe sensor neural hearing loss, it is a surgical procedure performed by otolaryngology surgeons.

Cochlear implants are utilized in a patient who cannot benefit from hearing aids. It is a device used to bypass the nonfunctional inner ear and converts sound into electrical impulses that directly stimulate the cochlear nerve. The implant consists of an external portion comprised of a microphone, sound processor, external coil and an internal portion that must be surgically implanted.

Ten years old Stephanie Shipi, a student of Otana Hearing Centre, an integrated school in Cross River state was born deaf.

However, luckily for her, she regained her hearing through cochlear implant surgery at Primus Specialty Hospital in India.

According to her surgeon, Dr. Sumit Mrig, Senior Consultant, ENT, Cochlear Implant, Primus Hospital, after the implant, Stephanie now ten years old, can now speak and hear as the speech therapy is still on-going.

"For the first time, she is learning to talk; it will take her up to one year but with good speech therapist such as she has in her mother, the process will be

Stephanie fast," he said.

Stephanie's mother according to Dr. Sumit, has been fantastic.

"My job as a surgeon ends in the theatre, the speech therapist takes over. "Before the surgery, she was lip reading but now she is picking sounds without having to lip read. She is catching up with the nine years she had lost," the Senior Consultant added.

Dr. Sumit said about 40,000 Nigerians are born deaf because

Dr. Sumit examining Stephanie's ear after surgery

of the non-availability of medical facilities for screening at birth, disclosing "We have operated about seven Nigerians and they are doing fantastically well but the problem is that, the parents are not able to identify symptoms of deafness at an early stage so they end up reaching 14 years above."

He hinted that he will be visiting Nigeria more often as ear specialty hospital will soon be

opened in Lagos. "I have been treating so many Nigerians in Delhi India. The landmark we made in Nigeria is that, we have been able to conduct the first cochlear surgery on a patient who could not hear for the past 36 years."

He listed the categories of people that are qualified for cochlear implants as follows: Prelingual congenital deafness, profound hearing loss in adult age probably due to diseases like meningitis, those lip reading and using sign language to communicate and children who lost hearing after acquiring it.

He however, warned patients to avoid self-medication and prolong usage of drugs as it can result in loss of hearing. "I advise parents to bring their children for test. "The earlier we are able to diagnose, the better. "The surgery should be done as early as possible like eleven months."

The implant which is the tiniest in the world is produced outside India, hence it is expensive. According to the surgeon, it is entirely safe as there is no infection connected to its implantation and its healing period fast.

Recounting her ordeal, Mrs. Beatrice Shipi , Stephanie's mother described how she was naĂŻve about her daughter's condition, "Initially, I thought she was a slow talker from experiences I gathered from people around.

"I was told some children don't walk early, crawl early and all that but when she became two years old, I knew something was wrong with her hearing and speech, that was when we started consultation at University Teaching Hospital in Calabar."

According to her, several tests were carried out on Stephanie that confirmed her inability to hear or speak. "They started

hitting stuff on her ear and then I knew my daughter was deaf," she explained.

She called on parents to take their children for screening especially now that the facilities are there, "Parents should examine and run test to know the hearing state of their children as early as possible. "If my daughter's surgery was done earlier enough, it would be easier for her. "At 10 years old, she is starting to learn to speak like a baby."

She described how excited she was on hearing her daughter speak for the first time after the surgery. "I was excited, I have been involved in her hearing therapy, I talk to her, show her different objects, tell them their names. "We also have a Therapist coming to the house to teach her to talk," she mentioned.

According to Rtd Col Dr. Eugene O. Emodi, Medical Superintendent, Primus International Super Specialty Hospital Karu, so many Nigerians have reasons to travel abroad for treatment. "As a mother, Mrs. Beatrice was bothered by her daughter's inability to hear, we have established Primus hospital in Nigeria to cater for medical needs of patients across West African countries at large.

Another Nigerian that underwent the surgery is Muhammad Hussein. He had binaural cochlear implant at twenty one years. He had suffered meningitis when he was 10 years old.

According to Dr. Sumit, the binaural cochlear implant can only be done in a child more than 14 years of age and they should be post lingual.

In Muhammad's case, his brain had not been in use for 11 years hence his difficulty in speech even 1 year after surgery.

Muhammad Hussein had binaural implant

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, FEBRUARY, 2013

With Aunty A'isha

Sights and sounds

Unicorn animal

T

rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

SHOR T ST OR Y SHORT STOR ORY

The unfruitful tree

A he unicorn (from Latin unus 'one' and cornus 'horn') is a legendary creature whose power is exceeded only by its mystery. Though the modern popular image of the unicorn is sometimes that of a horse differing only in the horn on its forehead, the traditional unicorn has a Billy-goat beard, a lion's tail, and cloven hooves, which distinguish him from a horse. Marianna Mayer has observed (The Unicorn and the Lake), "The unicorn is the only wonderful beast that does not seem to have been conceived out of human fears.

In even the earliest references he is brutal yet good, selfless yet lonely, but always mysteriously beautiful. He could be captured only by unfair means, and his single horn was said to neutralize poison."

Uses of unicorn horn Many types of horns were sold as unicorn horns, which were highly sought-after as a defense against poison.

Those who drink out of cups made from (the horn) are proof against convulsions, epilepsy, and even poison, provided that before or after having taken it, they drink some wine or water or other liquid out of these cups.

The ability of unicorn horns to neutralize poison has been advertised since the time of Aristotle. The English ambassador to the French court was treated in 1596 with medicine containing "musk, amber, gold, pearl and unicorn's horn," the value of the ingredients being directly related to their scarcity and expense.

Unicorns in ancient times A one-horned, animal (which may be just a bull in profile) is found on some seals from the Indus Valley civilization. Seals with such a design are thought to be a mark of high social rank.

PAGE 23

farmer had a brother in town who was a gardener, and who possessed a wonderful plantation full of the finest fruit trees, so that his skill and his beautiful trees were famous everywhere.

One day the farmer went into town to visit his brother, and was astonished at the rows of trees that grew slender and smooth as wax tapers.

"Look, my brother, said the gardener. "I will give you an apple tree, the best from my garden, and you, and your children, and your children's children shall enjoy it."

Then the gardener called his workmen and ordered them to take

up the tree and carry it to his brother's farm. They did so, and the next morning the farmer began to wonder where he should plant it.

"If I plant it on the hill," said he to himself, "the wind might catch it and shake down the delicious fruit before it is ripe, if I plant it close to the road, passers-by will see it and rob me of its luscious apples but if I plant it too near the door of my house, my servants or the children may pick the fruit."

So, after he had thought the matter over, he planted the tree behind his barn, saying to himself, "Prying thieves will not think to look for it here."

But behold, the tree bore neither

fruit nor did it blossom the first year nor the second then the farmer sent for his brother the gardener, and reproached him angrily, saying "You have deceived me, and given me a barren tree instead of a fruitful one.

For, behold, this is the third year and still it brings forth nothing but leaves!"

The gardener, when he saw where the tree was planted, laughed and said "You have planted the tree where it is exposed to cold winds, and has neither sun nor warmth.

How, then, could you expect flowers and fruit? You have planted the tree with a greedy and suspicious heart, how then, could you expect to reap a rich and generous harvest?"

HIS AND HERS CORNER Traditional beads for kids

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, FEBRUARY, 2013

PAGE 22

With Aunty A'isha

rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

AFRICAN TALES

MODEL OF THE WEEK

A cold night in the forest

I

t was a cold night and the cool breeze was making animals seek shelter and cover on their bodies.

The sparrows entered their nests, the rabbits went into their burrows, the parrots went into the holes on the tree trunks and the squirrels hid in the shoots of the coconut tree.

All the birds and animals settled down to face the chilly night. Dr. Dove was watching all these animals in the bright moon light from its whole on the nearby rocky hill.

By mid night the chillness increased and a couple of crows had fallen seriously ill from the exposure to the severe cold.

As the sun rises, all the animals and birds started coming out and assembled at the bottom of the rocky hill.

"What a cold night it was last night, the harmattan has just begun now, by December it would be very cold. If the cold winds blow like this we will certainly reduce in number," said a crane that lives on the nearby thorn bushes.

"I could hear the sound of my teeth as I shivered in the night,

said a dog." "Though we are big, we too feel the cold," said an elephant. "Though I was in my den, I too felt it," the lion said.

I have an idea, said Dr. Dove by landing on a big stone, "We all know that the Lion lives in a big den in this hill, I have seen another small den that can comfortably accommodate our Lion, it is just on the other side of this Hill.

"I feel that the Lion can leave this big den and occupy the small one so that those animals that have no home can take shelter in the big den. Thus they can protect themselves from the severe cold."

As soon as Dr. Dove said this, the lion roared and rejected the idea. "I need this big den, let other animals seek shelter in the small den that you had located."

Looking at the elephants Dr. Dove said, "Dear Lion, this is only for the harmattan months and rainy days. The rest of the time you can use the big den." The elephants trumpeted in support of this statement and urged the lion to agree.

Seeing the unity and the support Dr. Dove got from the

herd of Elephants, the Lion said, "OK I agree." The animals went in search of food.

It was night again, all those animals that have no home gathered in the big den and felt good to be there. As the night advanced the cold winds blew more frequently making the animals shiver even in the Den. Somehow, they spent the night and gathered again at the bottom of the hill to share their experiences.

"Since the den is not so deep, it can protect us partially from the severe cold. We have to live with it, said the deer."

Having listened to this discussion, Dr. Dove said, "I have another idea to help you keep warm.

"You all can collect the branches and our elephant friends can bring dried logs in the forest to the den. "At midnight, one of you can make these branches and dried logs into a small heap and set fire. Then the den gets the warmth from this fire."

Great idea jumped a monkey.

That night, the animals made their own hearth and felt the warmth and slept comfortably.

Muhammad Muneer A. Kofi, born on Nov. 15, 2012

ACTIVITIES Using different colours of your choice, paint the picture below. Name and describe the objects you can identify below. Show your work to your teacher for correction. Cheers!

CREA TIVITY CREATIVITY

Make a toy periscope

I

m a g i n e going to watch a match starring your favourite teams and then not being able to see it properly. This could well be the case if you are seated at an uncomfortable spot.

Instead of coming out of the stadium/field in a sour mood, carry your very own periscope to the next match.

A periscope is an optical instrument that comes handy when you wanto to see things from an angle where it is otherwise difficult to see them. Like in submarines, people in submarines use a periscope to see objects above the ocean.

What you need: Two empty cornflake cartons Two plain mirrors Two pieces of cardboard A pair of scissors Packing tape What to do: Cut the tops from both the cartons.

Place the cardboard to the bottom of both the cartons at a 45 degree angle and secure it tightly.

Mount a mirror on each of the cardboard and secure it with the help of some tape.

Cut out a one-inch square hole directly in front of the mirror in each of the cartons.

Place the two cartons on top of each other, open ends together.

Make sure that the mirrors are placed at a 45 degree angle.

Otherwise the periscope won't work!

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 25

Entertainment

Kannywood Choge predicted her death four days before —Family T From Lawal Sa'idu Funtua, Katsina

he ace popular Hausa female singer, Hajiya Sa'adatu Aliyu, aka Barmani Choge, predicted her death four days before it happened. The last born of the popular singer, Hamza Aliyu, 27, disclosed this to Peoples Daily Weekend in an interview at the family residence in Funtua. Aliyu said "I was sitting close to her when she told me that she will die in the next four days and she said there was nothing we could do to save her".

Barmani Choge according to her first male child, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu, had been bed-ridden for 70 days before her death due to the stroke she suffered as a result of her diabetic condition.

Alhaji Aliyu added: "When we last took her to a herbalists, in Salanke village, she told me that this would be her last visit to the place as according to her she would die before the next visit. She even told me that the way the herbalists spoke to her she knew she would not survive the ailment".

A l i y u described the death of his mother as 'the saddest day of my life'. He said his late mother was everything to them "she paid o u r school

Late Barmani Choge

fees and took care of our families".

According to him, 'our mother gave birth to 12 children but only six of us are now alive'.

Her eldest daughter, Hajiya Binta Aliyu, 71, talked about her relationship with her mother being the first child. She said: "You know by tradition a first child doesn't come close to his/her mother. But few days before her death, she called me and prayed for me, for according to her I've never disobeyed her". Binta added: "We will forever remain grateful to her for what she did to us her children".

Her second surviving daughter, Hajiya Basira Aliyu, noted that B a r m a n i

Choge as a mother she has tried in training them to be useful members of the society. She said 'our only prayer is may Allah forgive her sins'.

On whether there is anyone among them who would take after the great entertainer, Alhaji Shehu said: "I'ts only the daughter of my sister, Rabi that is showing the signs of taking after our mother". He added "even when our mother was alive, if she is not going out for a performance she used to send Rabi to represent her".

Rabi the likely heir to Barmani Choge is an SS1 student of Government Girls' Day Secondary School, Funtua. Interestingly she is the leader of the Hausa Society group of the school where she composes most of their songs.

Barira, the mother of Rabi has this to say on her daughter's prospect of succeeding their mother: "If it is God's Will that she would take over from our mother we can't stop her. The sky is the limit for her". For the larger part of the 70 days that the late Choge took ill, Rabi used to attend ceremonies and perform on her behalf.

According to Alhaji Shehu, their late mother's last performance was in Kaduna on the day the late G o v e r n o r Ibrahim Yakowa died.

The performance was in the house of her long time friend, Hajiya Amina the wife of Late Sarkin Magana.

From Lawal Sa'idu Funtua, Katsina

TH R I B U T E

ajiya Sa'adatu Aliyu, alias Barmani Choge, was born 88 years ago in a village called Gwaigwaye in the outskirts of Funtua town in Funtua local government area of Katsina state. Hajiya Barmani Choge was Fulani by tribe and she moved to Funtua town after getting married to her husband, Alhaji Aliyu.

Hajiya Barmani Choge started singing as a hobby when she was in Gwaigwaye.

In an interview with Peoples Daily Weekend five months ago, she said: "originally I started singing in the midst of women on the eve of Sallah day'. She noted that it was when she moved to Funtua that one woman called Kushelle noticed her and used to invite her to perform during naming or wedding ceremonies. She added: "I became popular after I was invited to perform at the 1977 Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC '77) where I won three prizes for my performance and since then I never looked back".

She noted: "I have to thank Allah (SWT) for blessing me through singing. I trained my children through it and got

Remembering Choge, the calabash music maestro worldly things".

On whether one of her children would succeed her, Choge said: "Well, all knowledge belongs to Allah, but I have a granddaughter Rabi who has shown interest in taking after me. Even now she used to join me during performance and she use to practice on her own".

Barmani Choge stated that her greatest asset in life was patience, discipline and commitment. She added: "I never gossip among women and whoever invites me for a ceremony I make sure I honour it". Choge would surely be remembered for her many songs educating the society on some ills or promoting government programmes. Choge had sung for almost all the former first ladies of the country.

And so Choge, the "accidental" singer became a prominent star whose singing spanned a period 45 years and who composed songs in their hundreds, often singing instantaneously on stage without prior composition, much less rehearsals as is usually required for successful public performance. As evidence of her talent, she couldn't remember the number of songs she had rendered when asked by our reporter.

Her favourite song, according to her, was the one that was the tribute to her closest friend, Hajiyan Maduga, wife of Sarkin Magana, who is now late.

Choge owed gratitude to Maduga,

Hajiya Binta Aliyu (Choge’s first child), 71

Rabi, Choge's grand daughter, who she predicted would succeed her

Hamza Aliyu (Choge’s last child)

whom she said, had given her her first Hajj seat. Her singing also earned her car gifts from Alhaji Tsoho Abdullahi Zaria, late Maryam Babangida and the former secretary to Kaduna state government, Alhaji Lawal Sama'ila Yakawada.

Choge went on to outlive all members of her band including Ladi, Kushalle, Bangaji, Romo, Azumi among others and even went on to coopt her grandchildren into the art,

performing with them whenever they were not in school.

She also treated social themes such as encouraging women to practice child spacing.

On the song for child spacing, she said: "The reason behind that song was that in the past when a woman is giving birth without spacing she became a subject of mockery in their house.

Women would be mocking her to the extent that she would be crying. That

was why I composed the song to give them confidence". In another song called "Sakarai", she admonished women to take entrepreneurship and small businesses so as not to be too dependent.

On this subject, she said: "You know a woman that is not into any business to generate funds is in serious trouble.

Women have to look for ways of survival".

A redoubtable performer, she said light-heartedly on her sick bed: "Well

I've been sick but my sickness has to do with the pains on my legs. Even now if I'm on a sitting position I can sing for the whole day. I recently performed in Musawa, where… I spent the whole night singing".

During her active career days, Choge travelled to almost every part of Nigeria and toured foreign countries including Niger, Saudi Arabia,, the United Kingdom, among others.

Late Choge left behind a legacy of

hard work, honesty. Her wish for her offspring, she said, was to see them married. "As for wealth", she had told our reporter, "I don't have any; I don't even have a bank account. I got a lot of wealth in this profession but you know if you have a large family that depends on you, you can't keep anything". This was the surest evidence of the generous heart of late Sa'adatu Aliyu, aka Barmani Choge, who has departed these shores for the Great Beyond.

musicians avoid. Literally the last of her generation, she popularized the Amada genre of Hausa music which is centered around five upturned calabashes floating on water and played with the hands by rather elderly women.

"The thematic focus of her performances is on the sociology of the family as it affects the woman in a typical Muslim Hausa household. She uses her lyrical power to draw attention to issues dealing with inter-personal relationships among women and between women and men. A lot of her repertoire deals with female social and economic empowerment in a traditional setting."

Although Barmani's music's have been known to be directed at the Hausa women, yet, she had also cultivated contact to the wives of Nigeria's Presidents at various times as a result of the music. She told our reporter during the interview that "the first president's wives I sang for was Shagari's wives during the wedding ceremony of Bala Shagari. After them I also sang for Maryam Babangida, Maryam Abacha and Fati Abdulsalam."

During the military regime of General Sani Abacha in the 1990s, Barmani Choge was a regular performer in the yealy October 1st Independence celebration in Abuja. Her songs were said to be highly enjoyed by the then Head of States, Abacha.

While recalling with delight the countless number of unforgettable breakthroughs through music, like the opportunity of travelling to the holy

land for close to eight times, the Amadastyled musician equally travelled to London, Niger Republic, and to almost all the crannies in the country.

Among the songs composed by the calabash music singer, there was one (GWANNE IKON ALLAH) that urged women to embrace reproduction and feel burden-free to give birth to as many children as they could, which directly opposed the much talked child spacing policy of the time.

To further enrich Hausa ethnomusicology, a definitive biography of Barmani Choge was written by renowned writer, Ibrahim Sheme who described her as the "Hausa land's leading female traditional musician."

With about 45 years in the business, Sheme said the voice of the Hausa music ace was "surprisingly the same, keenly unaffected by age." Like Professor Abdalla, Sheme equally described Barmani's music themes as timeless that "traversed topics from serious social issues like women's education and importance of small-scale trading by women, all of which would empower women, to bawdy topics like co-wives as idle snobs, voluptuous women's backsides, etc. These themes have been on her talented tongue since the late 60s, long before the Women's Lib movement caught on in these parts of the world. Their core message is: women should get up and shine in this male-dominated world."

There has not been a precise number of the songs produced by Barmani Choge, largely owing to the accidental or impromptu instances in composing some of the songs, and as such might escape remembrance.

Albeit, the general convergence about the total number of her songs said it has reached hundreds.

Among the great set-pieces of Barmani Choge include the earlier

mentioned song that advocates birth, "Gwanne Ikon Allah", a more adultthemed performance such as in "Duwaiwai Dole a Zauna da kai" in which she celebrates a woman's attraction to her matrimonial duties, "Dare Allah Magani", which is among her successful songs on the resistance to polygamous marriages.

Other well known exciting songs of Barmani Choge are: "Sakarai bata da

Wayo", "La ilallah Choge", "Ahayye kasa Ruwa sama Ruwa", and many other cherished songs in Hausa land.

Until her demise on Sunday night, Hajiya Barmani Choge had suffered from pains and swellings of legs, despite of which, she sung her life-long music while sitting. She performed at a numer of wedding, naming ceremonies, as well as schools and even at British council.

Barmani Choge: A farewell to Amada music genius

By Ibrahim Kabir Sule

F

o r close to five decades of uninterrupted musical entertainment, and creeping into the mind of ardent listeners who have known her for the Amada brand of Hausa music genre, Hajiya Sa'adatu, popularly known as Barmani Choge, aptly situated her music carrier on discussing critical issues that relate to woman in a typical Muslim Hausa household. Her powerful lyrical dispositions had succeeded in attracting attention to issues that concern everyday life of women, especially from the overview of typical Hausa milieu.

Barmani Choge was born in Gwaiygwaye village, a suburb near of Funtua town of Katsina state from a Fulani tribe, the water-filled calabash drum Hausa musician confessed that she never inherited the music art, but only germinated from a traditional annual eve of Sallah performance to herald the celebrations of Sallah day.

The courage to continue the community-cherished calabash singing even when they finally resettled in Funtua, originated from Choge's eve of Sallah appreciated performances.

The Calabash Ensemble music of Barmani Choge had almost a single central subject that clearly targeted mature Hausa women to be economically empowered even in the face of their traditional settings. She meticulously dealt with implications in educating her womenfolk, in serious

social issues as women's education and importance of small-scale trading by women, capable in lifting women in their status.

And further corroborating that during an interview with Peoples Daily Weekend just few months to her death, Barmani Choge categorically expressed her resolve to see her children pursue education instead of succeeding her in the art of traditional calabash music, saying however that "there is one of them Rabi, my granddaughter who is showing interest. The truth is that you cannot have two tigers within the same periphery."

The late Barmani, who was believed to have been responsible for lifting Amada to the highest level of musical form, went on to underscore the rationale behind her usual thematic discourse in motivating women to be self-empowered, explaining that "a woman that is not into any business to generate funds is in serious trouble. Women have to look for ways of survival."

Chairman Center for Hausa Cultural Studies, Kano, Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu of Bayero University, Kano studied and worked on the Hausa Traditional Female Musician's different masterpieces and summed up on the thematic, stylistic and musical genre of Barmani Choge's Amada music.

"BarmaniChoge's performances appeal typically to mature women in high society due to her daring - and often experimental - exploration of issues that other conventional women

Choge and her team of calabash artists

?

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

Hollywood/Bollywood Justin Bieber collapses in London, rushed to Hospital

J

ustin Bieber has been rushed to a hospital in London.

The singer reportedly collapsed on stage during a show in O2 Arena, as witnesses took to Twitter immediately upon the incident and said Bieber passed out in the middle of a performance.

"He got oxygen from emergency personnel," a rep tells E! News. "He insisted on finishing the show. He is on the way to the hospital right now."

Following the collapse, Bieber's manager, Scooter Braun, came out and told attendees that the 19-yearold had been feeling "very low of breath" throughout the concert and was backstage with EMTs. On two occasions in the past month, Bieber was spotted around town in a gas mask.

He was mocked mercilessly for it, but might that have portended some kind of actual illness?

Aishwarya Rai's daughter Aaradhya Bachchan's Rs 54 crore worth gift

I

t is rightly said that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's daughter Aaradhya Bachchan is no less than a celebrity. Ever since Aaradhya was born, she's been in the news for every other reason. Aaradhya is just a year old, but her current status is no less than a megastar. Born with a silver

spoon, Aaradhya is the most loved member of the Bachchan family. And the latest we hear is that Aaradhya has recently received a very expensive gift from her parents, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. According to a leading daily's report, AbhiAsh gave their bundle of joy a holiday home in Dubai, worth Rs 54 crores as a gift.

Earlier, Aaradhya's grandpa Amitabh Bachchan gave her a mini cooper on her first birthday. Aaradhya, who was born to Abhishek and Aishwarya on November 16, 2011, is considered as the nation's youngest celebrity.

Rhea Chakraborty auditioned for Band Baaja Baarat but got rejected her entry in films. "I had auditioned for

N

ewbie Rhea Chakraborty, who is making her Bollywood debut in Yash Raj Films' Mere Dad Ki Maruti, says she had auditioned to play the leading lady in Band Baaja Baarat. Rhea appeared in Telugu film Tuneega Tuneega last year, which marked

Band Baaja Baarat but did not get selected.

I was feeling bad, was upset. But I think certain films are determined by destiny.

So that film was not meant for me. May be the makers felt I did not fit the bill as I was just 17-year-old, so it's ok,"

Bollywood's fresh faces of 2013

W

hile 2012 saw the debuts of some really talented Bollywood actors like Ayushmaan Khurrana, Arjun Kapoor and Varun Dhawan, 2013 will see a lot of new faces. From Jackie Shroff's son to Tollywood star Ram Charan, 2013 promises better talent. Let's take a look at some Bollywood actors who will make their debut this year.

He's already a huge rage in the south of India and now he's all set to mesmerize everyone in Bollywood.

South superstar Chiranjeevi's son Ram Charan Teja will make his Bollywood debut this year in Apoorva Lakhia's remake of Zanjeer. The shooting for the film has already started and Priyanka Chopra will play the female lead.

D

hanush rose to fame with the song Kolaveri Di, which became one of the biggest chart busters in the world.

He has already worked in a few Tamil movies and will make his Bollywood debut opposite Sonam Kapoor in Raanjhnaa. The film is a love story between the two and Dhanush will be seen in different age groups, also as a school boy.

Miley Cyrus split rumors: Where is the engagement ring?

R

umors of a Miley Cyrus split from Liam Hemsworth intensified yesterday after the young star was spotted without her engagement ring on.

The status of this engaged couple has been ripe tabloid fodder over the last couple of weeks, with magazines reporting Hemsworth cheated on Miley with January Jones.

Cyrus Tweeted that she didn't call off her wedding, while adding that she's taking a break from social media because she's sick of all the "lies."

But cameras caught Cyrus without her 3.5 carat ring on when she headed into the recording studio, adding fuel to the fire that it's all over between her and The Hunger Games star.

"Liam and Miley are done," a friend tells Us Weekly. "She says she's over it."

Not in public, she hasn't. But sometimes ring-less action speak louder than words. –thehollywoodgossip.com

Sushant Singh Rajput

T

his talented actor has made a name for himself with his superb acting in the TV show Pavitra Rishta. Sushant is now gearing up to charm us all on the big screen this year with Kai Po Che, based on Chetan Bhagt's book The Three Mistakes Of My Life.

He will also be seen opposite Aamir Khan in RajKumar Hirani's Peekay

Renee Zellweger jets into LAX after Bridget Jones star Renee kept her fashion week large shades over her eyes and her

S

he is known for her chic travel wears and Renee Zellweger certainly kept the side up as she waltzed through LAX. The 43-year-old looked stylish as she landed in LAX after a brief trip to France for Paris Fashion Week and she may have picked up some tips from Europe as she kept her outfit simple for her arrival.

tailored coat hung loosely over her slender frame while her blouse added a splash of colour.

The actress kept her blonde hair pulled back in a French twist as she left the airport in her slipper shoes.

Renee plans to appear in the West End this autumn in a stage production of the Paul Newman-Jackie Gleason movie classic The Hustler, a tale of high-stakes competitive pool players.

Siddhant Kapoor

H

Dhanush

e was supposed to make his debut last year, but the film got postponed. Shakti Kapoor's son Siddhant Kapoor is now looking forward to his release this year.

He will feature in Shootout At Wadala as a a sharpshooter in a gang.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 27

Homes Bathroom designer ideas to loosen up after a tired day T T

h e bathroom is a part of the house intended for private sanitation.

It is also a place where we can loosen up our tired mind and body to isolate us away from stress. Immersing in a half-filled bathtub has been a custom for a few to relax after a long tiring day.

People feel refreshed after taking a nice shower and feel comfortable after attending to their hygiene. Basically, there are lots of things a bathroom can offer that its definition does not only limit to us for personal cleanliness or a word used to euphemize as a room containing a toilet, but a room vital for people to meet relaxation at its best. So you might want to consider adding up an extra effort to beautify your bathroom to maximize comfort, space and aesthetics.

There are many style options to choose when setting up a design for your bathroom. You can pattern your design based on your personality or go with something that deviate the kind of plan you have in mind yet make it still visually attractive. But if you have the availability of space and budget then modern designs might just be for you.

Modern bathroom designs can set the room to a spa-like ambience with upscale amenities that includes granite countertops, modular storages, stylish lavatories, vanities and some lifestyle features. Elements of neutral color palette also bring out the modern appearance of the bathroom. It is marked with class and is undoubtedly elegant in terms of design feat. Modern designs escalate your experience to a more luxurious way of relaxing. To further give you more idea of what lavish living is, here are some stunning modern bathroom designs that Another shot taken from a different angle of the area to showcase the elegant beauty of the countertop and the chrome finish steel cabinet. The color-

coordinated and well picked material finishes make this modern design bathroom an outstanding creation.

There are a great variety of styles that you can incorporate when deciding for the kind of design you want for your bathroom. Home owners should opt for a design that is an extension of their taste.

Modern design bathroom is just one of the many options one can choose from. southernliving.com

High ceiling interior makes a room look more spacious. The rich intensity of the colors used to accentuate the cabinets, fixtures and the ceiling from the wall creates an interesting subject.

Entrance part of the bathroom.

The wall painting in earthly colours also serves as an artistic work.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2012

Cuisine

Pots & Pans

With Hajiya Ramatu Usman Dorayi

Kuka: 'Tree of life' and its health benefits

A

l s o known as the "tree of life" in Senegal and other African countries, the baobab tree is scattered across the African savannah, and dates back to several centuries.

Those familiar with it, especially villagers in Senegal use nearly every part of the tree, whose processed fruit was approved for European import.

According to a farmer, Aloyse Tine in Senegal "You use the fruit if you have a belly ache," "If you're tired you eat the leaves, they are good for you."

"The seeds can be pressed to extract oil used for cooking and the bark can be used to make ropes, says Tine, the Senegal farmer.

Known as kuka in northern Nigeria, Baobab health benefits include both support of prostate health and general health benefits, largely because of its extraordinary levels of vitamin C. The baobab fruit also provides a high level of bone-building calcium, about twice the amount found in milk.

Baobab is the fruit of the Adansonian digitata tree, also referred to as the upside down tree, bottle tree, or monkey bread tree. The tree grows mainly in Madagascar, South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

Among native peoples, the baobab fruit is valued highly as a food. Scientific investigation has shown that the fruit is a rich source of several nutrients, which is likely part of the reason for baobab health benefits.

Nutritional value Specifically, baobab has six times the vitamin C of oranges, twice the calcium level of milk,

Baobab leaves soup, (Miyar kuka)

Baobab tree and high levels of potassium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. Baobab fruit also provides a good source of fiber, protein, and probiotic activity, as it stimulates good bacteria in the gut. Ten grams of baobab dried fruit pulp contains 5 grams of fiber, which is comparable to the amount of fiber in one standard dose of psyllium taken as a laxative.

Baobab fruit consists of seeds, pulp, and red fibers, all encased in a very hard shell. Dried baobab fruit pulp is used to make nutritional supplements, and the seeds and red fibers are used to make extract oil, which is used for dry skin.

In the laboratory, baobab health benefits have been associated with its significant antioxidant activity, which has earned it a title as a "superfruit."

In fact, baobab is marketed as

Fruit having an ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity; i.e., its antioxidant power) value twice that of cranberries and pomegranate and greater than the berries (e.g., blueberries, blackberries, raspberries).

However, no data have been gathered concerning its antioxidant effects in the body.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved baobab fruit pulp as a safe food additive for foods and beverages because of its high vitamin C content. Among native peoples, baobab leaves are used as a vegetable, and the dry fruit pulp is consumed directly or mixed into porridge or milk.

There are anecdotal reports regarding baobab health benefits. For example, the bark is said to be effective for people who suffer from fever, infections, and toothache. The leaves can be used

Ingredients: About 1 mudu or measure of fresh kuka leaves, meat, attarugu and tattasai, onion, locust beans, kayan kanshi, palm oil if needed, salt and seasoning , potash (Kanwa).

Method: Wash meat and cook with salt and seasoning, locust beans, kayan kanshi and onions. Cook very well until the meat is soft then blend attarugu and tattasai and add to cook for 15 minutes. Wash fresh kuka leaves and pound in a local mortar (turmi) then add to the soup, add little potash (kanwa) cook for 15 minutes. Serve with tuwon kulli or any tuwo.

Powder for insect bites, asthma, and cough. Baobab fruit is said to be helpful in cases of malaria and measles, while the roots can be used for sores.

From a scientific standpoint, only a few studies have been done on baobab health benefits. A 2009 study published in Food Science and Nutrition reported on an analysis of the composition and nutritional value of baobab fruit. The researchers noted that baobab pulp is especially rich in vitamin C while the leaves are an excellent source of calcium and a good source of protein.

(Chadare 2009) Baobab extracts have been shown to have antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus. A study of 10 species of Togolese medicinal plants found that the root, bark and leaf extracts of baobab were the most potent of the group. (Hudson 2000)

Extracts

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10 MARCH, 2013

Womanhood

When a man threw burning stove at his wife

By Tosin Kolade

O O

l a w a k e m i Fawowe is a middleaged woman and a mother of three. She has been soliciting public support, following the injuries she sustained when her estranged husband assaulted her late last year.

She is lying critically ill at Ogba Medical Centre in Lagos after the man bathed her with hot water.

The hapless woman is seriously bruised.

From her neck down to her waist, she has severe burns and she can hardly eat or sit.

Oluwakemi said that she incurred her husband's wrath after she moved out of their home because of constant battering.

“I left my husband when the beating became too much. I left our house in Lagos to stay with my in-laws at Ijoko in Ogun State but he trailed me there.

“I was not expecting what he did to me because I felt I was safe with his family; I believed that he would not hurt me in their presence.

“But I was totally wrong, as he threw a burning stove at me and boiling water splashed all over me; my body was on fire.

I started shouting and that was when people rushed in to save me,'' she recalled.

However, Oluwakemi's harrowing experience aptly reflects the plight of several women across the country and the world at large.

The UN defines violence against women as ``any act of gender-based violence that results in physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."

Besides, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says that violence against women - particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women -- are major public health problems, which also constitute violations of the women's human rights.

A WHO's multi-country study found that between 15 and 71 per cent of women aged 15 to 49 years had reported physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lives.

These forms of violence can result in physical, mental, sexual, reproductive health and other health problems and they may increase the women's vulnerability to HIV, the global health agency said.

The global campaign on violence against women started in 1993 when the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna adopted ``Women's Rights are Human Rights" as its slogan.

In the same year, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the two actions aptly demonstrated the increasing global awareness about women's rights.

In Nigeria, Hajiya Zainab Maina, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, said that there was an increasing wave of violence against women.

The minister noted that about 33 per cent of Nigerian women had been subjected to one form of violence or the other.

“If you read Nigerian newspapers, there

Minister for Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina is no day when a case of domestic violence, such as gang rape and sexual abuse of the underage as well as women is not reported.

“On the average, this will translate to about 365 cases in a year.

“In the British Council's `Gender in Nigeria' report of 2012, up to one third of Nigerian women reported that they had been subjected to different forms of violence.

“One in five women has experienced physical violence; this is unacceptable, we must all stand to fight this trend," she said.

Maina stressed the need for the government at all levels to show zerotolerance to all forms of violence against women and girls, adding that such approach would enable the women and girls to fully fulfill their potential.

She stressed that the campaign for an end to violence against women was not an option, adding that it was a priority project which would promote the country's development, peace, security and human rights record.

However, Dr Yemi Ajayi, a lawyer and human rights advocate, stressed that the pursuit of equal rights for men and women through international law had been a slow process.

He noted that the principle, which stated that everyone was entitled to fundamental human rights “without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex...'', was given prominence in Article 2 of the 1948 UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Nevertheless, Ajayi noted that the declaration was not binding, adding that it took activists over 30 years to cajole the international community to take concrete legal action against gender injustice.

“This commitment came in the shape of the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979.

“CEDAW has been described as a bill of rights for women; it spells out the areas in which women experience discrimination and it commits countries to amend their laws, construct national gender policies and create institutions to deliver them.

“Although CEDAW has been ratified by almost all countries, ineffective enforcement of national legislation has further restrained the pace of reform,'' he said.

Ajayi stressed the need for government at all levels to implement convention and treaties which addressed violence against women.

All the same, Mrs Hauwa Shekarau, the National President, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), said that Nigeria was currently recording an upsurge in domestic violence.

“The Nigerian situation is a big issue because domestic violence not only affects women, it also affects men.

“We have noticed that various forms of domestic and sexual violence occur in Nigeria daily and the existing laws can no longer tackle some of the emerging cases,'' she said.

Shekarau said that whenever the Violence Against Persons Prohibition bill (VAPP), an expanded law before the House of Representatives, was passed; it would tackle all forms of sexual violence committed against male and female.

“The existing laws have become obsolete and there is the need to pass the VAPP bill to handle most of the emerging cases,'' she said.

Nevertheless, Mrs Wunmi AsubiaroDada of the Women's Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), blamed the Nigerian society for promoting domestic violence against women.

She stressed that gender-based violence was grossly underreported in the country.

Asubiaro-Dada cited the 2011 Human

Rights Survey as indicating that genderbased violence had been underreported in Nigeria due to the fact that the society had not come to terms with the prevailing issues concerning women.

“In Nigeria, when women are beaten and they go to police station to lodge complaints; the officers often tell them: `No, this is a personal matter madam, go back and settle the matter; Is it because you put too much salt in the soup? This is because the society is not yet ready to discuss such issues.

“It is a notion in our society that you don't dry your dirty linen outside, and oftentimes, you find out that the women are killed after making two or three reports and nothing is done.

“So, we need the law; we also need a lot of awareness and lastly, we need safe spaces where women can actually come to seek redress, where victims or survivors can come to and talk about abuses, so as to get help or redress.

“For some people, it's just a psychological support which they need for them to be able to claim their rights even in the marriage setting," she said.

Asubiaro-Dada, nonetheless, underscored the need for women to come out to disclose their maltreatment, adding that it was only after such disclosures were made that the culprits could be brought to book.

Besides, Dr Princess Olufemi-Kayode, the Executive Director of Media Concerns Initiative for Women and Children, bemoaned the increasing rate of domestic and sexual violence against women.

She stressed that the numerous cases of rape and sexual abuse reported by the media had been a veritable source of worry to concerned citizens.

She, however, noted that many of the cases were largely unreported.

“Rape remains one of the most underreported crimes in Nigeria. People and victims fail to report these cases because they do not want to be stigmatised,'' she said.

Olufemi-Kayode observed that victims of domestic and sexual violence usually felt vulnerable, angry, betrayed, frightened, embarrassed and powerless.

“The shame, psychological trauma and societal stigma associated with rape further compound the situation.

“Given that rape is often a traumatic violation, many rape victims opt to remain silent, preferring to blame themselves for such incidents, while the perpetrators often walk away free,'' she said.

Olufemi-Kayode suggested that victims should be encouraged to always speak out, saying that this was a major step toward addressing the issue legally.

She particularly called for the proper training of police officers, welfare and medical personnel as well as court officials for them to be able to handle cases of domestic and sexual violence in a more pragmatic way.

All in all, observers insist that speaking out against perceptible violations of human rights is, perhaps, the most effective way of tackling violence against women and girls.

(NANFeatures)

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

Archives

Do you have old pictures for memories?

Send them to julius2001_a@yahoo.com

Funmilayo Ransome Kuti (bespectacled) and some women activist in the 60s

Rooftop of Ibadan, Nigeria

Chief Anthony Enahoro and some dignitaries in the 50s

Ilorin Poultry Market. Live fowls are carried in the skips on the owners' heads in the 50s

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 31

Leisure WORD SEARCH

Photo of the day

Find the Birthstone names which are listed at the bottom of this page in the Birthstone Word Search grid. The words can be forwards, backwards, up, down, or diagonal. Circle each letter separately and keep in mind that the letters in each birthstone may be used in more than one birthstone name.

Birthstones Word Search O D N O M A I B

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R P

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R N T

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Y H T E

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ALEXANDRITE AMETHYST AQUAMARINE BLOODSTONE DIAMOND EMERALD GARNET MOONSTONE OPAL

PEARL PERIDOT RUBY SAPPHIRE SARDINYX TOPAZ TOURMALINE TURQUOISE ZIRCON

Quotes

"I need a Leader, a leader with a passionate disgust for sycophants" – Eta 'Royalty' Uso. E T R A L A D R "The destiny of a nation and its people are irrevocably bond together, none will reach greatness at the expense of the other" O T N D I T R A – Lai Labode "We must have a Nigeria where our leaders feed stones to the sycophants to E N T P E A R L give way for enough room in their ear-canals to hear the wishes and requests of the people they swore under oath to serve."

R I H P P A S D – Eta 'Royalty' Uso, 2010.

"I see an i With Emmanuel Eko ntense battle of ideology and pragmatism building amongst the Nigerian junioremma419@gmail.com youths. It is obviously a good sign."

08165618872 (text only) –Lai Labode "Our vote must count not by begging them to count it but by insisting that it • Leading others takes must be counted."

Gov. Adams Oshomole courage. Knowing the right decision – "A voter's card is a ticket of hope, a symbol of possibility and a confirmation is usually easy. Making the right of liberty. Your voter's card is much more powerful than your international decision is hard. passport because it cannot be withdrawn by any Government. Never fail to – John C. Maxwell register to vote, you have no electoral say without it."

– Lai Labode.

S

L

T

E

The Power Of Thinking • The true test of stewardship is not what your money is doing for you but what it's doing to you.

– John Maxwell • The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one.

– Wayne Cretzky • Vision adds value to everything.

– Dale Carnegie • It takes less time to do a thing right than to explain why you did it wrong.

– Henry Wadsworth • People do what people see. They forget your words but follow your footsteps.

– John C. Maxwell • If you want to make enemies, try to change something.

– Woodrow Wilson • Do not follow where the path may lead. Follow God, instead, to where there is no path and leave a trail.

• Leading followers is fast and easy, and it has little return; leading leaders is slow and hard, and has a great return.

– Frank Scully • People who never do any more than they get paid for, never get paid for any more than they do.

– Elbert Hubbard • Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.

– Mark Twain • Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you'll understand what little chance you have of trying to change others.

– Jacob m. Braude • Loving people precedes leading them. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

– John C. Maxwell

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

CARTOON

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

F

Compiled by Miriam Humbe

Smokey eyes and unique launch styles

W

ith a unique style that kept tongues wagging at an Album launch recently, co-host of the"Iyanya vs Desire" show, Toolz rocked a bi-coloured (red-and-black) dress. With her hair pulled up, she paired her outfit with a statement gold neck p i e c e , diamond bracelets, a gold stud and cream clutch. Smoky eyes and red lipstick completes her fierce look.

Other celebrities, also dazzled the audience.

Dotun

Toolz

Karen Igho

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 33

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

Business News

L-r: Chairman, Board of Directors, Infrastructure Bank Plc, Alhaji Lamis Dikko; Managing Director, Mr Adekunle Oyinloye and Vice President, Business Club Ikeja, Mr Duro Olatunji at a Business Forum of the Club in Lagos on Friday.

Stakeholders advise FG to stop smuggling of banned textile materials

S

t a k e h o l d e r s in the textile industry have advised the Federal Government to stop smuggling of textile materials into the country to achieve its aim of reviving the comatose textile industry.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday that government’s intervention fund of N100 billion to the sector would be in vain if smuggling continued.

Dr John Osemede, the Director-General, Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), told NAN that smuggling of banned textile materials must be curtailed.

Osemede urged security operatives at the sea and airports to ensure that smuggled items did not

find their ways into the country.

“Smuggling must be checked if the aspiration to increase the textile and apparel industry’s contribution to the GDP from its current 12 to 25 per cent must be achieved,” he said.

Mr Stany Mutu, the Sales Executive, United Textiles Ltd., Lagos, said that banned textile materials from Asia had ruined the prospects of the locally produced textile products.

He urged the Federal Government to do all within its power to protect the Nigerian textile industry.

“What we need in the textile sector is protection from the government. Most of the banned products have littered the market through smuggling.

“No matter the revival or funds that the government is planning for

the textile industry, smuggling remains the major issue that needs to be addressed.

“No Nigerian can try what most of these foreigners are doing in Nigeria in other countries because they are well protected by their government,” Mutu said.

Mr Segun Kuti-George, the Chairman of Lagos Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists, also condemned the volume of inferior goods being smuggled into the country.

Kuti-George said that products of local manufacturers could not compete favourably with the banned textile materials which still found their ways into the country.

Prof. Vremudia Diejomaoh, a former President of Nigerian Economic Society (NES), urged the

Federal Government to be firm in checking smuggling of these banned textile items.

Diejomaoh said that smuggling would continue to frustrate efforts of government at expanding and providing more job opportunities in the textile sector.

It would be recalled that Dr Olusegun Aganga, the Minister of Trade and Investment, said that about776,000 jobs had been lost due to the poor state of the sector.

Aganga ,at a forum in Abuja, said that the Federal Government, through the disbursement of N100 billion intervention funds, had immediately saved 8,070 out of the lost jobs.

He said that the figure would increase drastically when the funds would have been fully disbursed by December. (NAN)

Mrs Grace Agwu, the leader of the group, told NAN that the protest followed the unabated destruction of their food crops by cattle.

According to her, this incident has been recurring in our community and we can no longer bear it.

“Our farmers have lost not less than N100 million to this cattle menace over the past three years and we can no longer condone it,” she said.

Agwu said that residents of the area had no other occupation than farming and regretted why the destruction of their farm fields would go unabated without any government action.

NAN reports that Abam comprising 25 villages and one of the

major clans in the Local Government area is largely an agrarian community.

Chief Uduma Kalu, the Chairman, Abam Traditional Rulers Council, said that cattle had taken over Abam clan.

“We cannot sow and reap our crops and cannot drink good water as the whole streams are polluted,” he said.

Kalu said that the matter was worse as the farmers that had borrowed money from a microfinance bank had lost all to the menace.

He said that if nothing was done to forestall further destruction of their crops the community would retaliate

“and the outcome could be deadly”.

Kalu said that the community would no longer want to see any cattle in their community.

Responding, Dr Ukoha O. Ukoha, and Chairman of the Cattle Menace Committee set up by State Government, said that government would act swiftly to calm frayed nerves.

“It was for this that this committee was set and I want to assure you that government will look into the matter with a view to handling the situation once and for all,” Ukoha said.

NAN reports that the committee was in the community to examine the extent of damage and advice government accordingly.

Farmers protest against cattle menace in Abia

F

armers in Abam, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia, have protested against the destruction of their farm fields by cattle, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

NAN reports that the protesters mostly women, numbering no fewer than 200, were drawn from the 25 villages in Abam clan.

They were clad in black attire and a big placard with the drawing of a cattle and the inscription ``No grazing here: they have destroyed our food crops and drinking water’’.

The protesters marched on the major road leading to Umuahia and Ebem Ohafia.

CBN will provide framework to drive corporate governance in banks

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it will provide the framework for good corporate governance to strive in the financial sector.

Mr Ugochukwu Okoroafor, the CBN Director, Corporate Communications Department, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday.

Okoroafor said the apex bank had adopted the required measures to prevent poor corporate governance among banks He said the over capitalisation of the banks was part of the regulatory step to ensure that sanity returned to financial sector.

The CBN director also said that the creation of the new banking model from the universal system would ensure that banks focused on their core investment.

Okoroafor added that some of the banks used their subsidiaries to siphoned money.

According to him, the introduction of zero tolerance in the financial sector will enhance good corporate governance and check imbalance.

He said the post consolidation era led the apex bank to remove some managing directors of banks due to ``misuse of power’’ in their respective banks.

He said the CBN was working on micro-financial guidelines as regards policies in the financial sector.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 35

Science Did Russia find 14m-year-old bacteria sealed in an underground Antarctic lake?

Russian scientists have discovered 'unknown' bacteria that has never been seen before Discovery made in the waters of the unique sub-glacial Lake Vostok

R

u s s i a n scientists believe they may have discovered new life forms sealed off for 14 million years in a subglacial lake deep under the Antarctic ice.

Scientists say the icy darkness of Lake Vostok, less than 3,700 metres of ice, may provide a glimpse of the planet before the Ice Age and clues to life on other planets.

'After excluding all known contaminants, bacterial DNA was found that does not match any known species in world databases,' Sergei Bulat of the St Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute told a Russian news agency.

'If it (the bacteria) had been found on Mars, then without a doubt we would have said there is life on Mars - but this is DNA from Earth,' he said.

'We are calling this life form unidentified or unclassified.'

The Russian discovery came from analysing water that froze onto the end of the drill bit used to bore through to Vostok - the largest of a network of hundreds of lakes under the ice cap that acts like a blanket trapping the Earth's geothermal heat.

Bulat told RIA that scientists are waiting for more samples from the lake to confirm their discovery.

Because of the technology used to keep from polluting the pristine lake, Russia will only obtain clean water samples - uncontaminated by drilling fluid - for analysis later this year.

To answer concerns kerosene and anti-freeze from the borehole would seep into the lake, Russian engineers withdrew the drill to allow the water to percolate up into the borehole and freeze there, only returning this year to collect it.

But Bulat said the unknown microbes were found after separating out species of bacteria that are known to exist in the drilling fluid.

'When we tried to identify the DNA, it did not coincide with any known species. It's degree of similarity was less than 86 percent,' Bulat told RIA. 'That is practically zero when working with DNA. A level of 90 percent tells us the organism is unknown.'

Frozen samples from deeper in the borehole collected during this year's Antarctic summer season in February are now being carried back by boat and are due in St Petersburg in May. 'If we again identify the same group of organism in that pure sample of water, then we can confidently say we have found new life on Earth,' Bulat said.

Scientists from the United States and Britain are close on Moscow's heels to probe what life may exist in one of the most

extreme environments on Earth.

LAKE VOSTOK Vostok Station was set up by the Russians in 1956, and their seismic soundings soon suggested there was an area of liquid underneath.

However, Russian specialists, supported by their British counterparts, finally discovered Lake Vostok in 1996.

Sonar and satellite images later proved the lake to be one of the world's largest freshwater reservoirs.

With its area reaching 15,000 sq. km and a depth exceeding 1,200 meters, Lake Vostok is one of the biggest among 370 sub-glacial lakes in Antarctica.

This year, a U.S. expedition said they had seen living cells under a microscope in field samples taken from the shallower subglacial Lake Whillans, but more study is needed to determine what kinds of bacteria they are and how they live.

A British effort to reach a third body, Lake Ellsworth, was called off in December because of problems drilling.

What life is found in the icy depths may provide the best answer yet to whether life can exist in the extreme conditions on Mars or Jupiter's moon Europa.

In February Russian researchers became the first in the world to reach the waters of Lake

Vostok after more than decades of drilling work.

They managed to reach the fresh ice at a depth of 3383 meters and took samples at 3,406 meters.

Ice formed as the water from the lake rose into the hole due to upward-pressure in the crack researchers drilled last February.

Last year Russian scientists managed to drill through 3700 meters of ice, reach the surface of the lake and take 40 liters of prehistoric water.

Russian specialists, supported by their British counterparts, discovered Lake Vostok back in 1996. Sonar and satellite images later proved the lake to be one of the world's largest freshwater reservoirs.

With its area reaching 15,000 sq km and a depth exceeding 1,200 metres, Lake Vostok is one of the biggest among 370 sub-glacial lakes in Antarctica.

In 1998 scientists had to halt the drilling just 130 metres from the lake's surface after alarming concerns the ancient and unblemished waters risked being polluted if special precautions were not taken.

The relevant technology was developed only in 2003 in St. Petersburg, and work resumed in 2005 after further tests.

Drilling into history: Russian researchers have reached Lake Vostok, and believe they may have found evidence of previously unseen bacterial life in water samples - although they need further research to confirm

Russian scientists have drilled into the prehistoric sub-glacier Lake Vostok, which has been trapped under Antarctic ice for 14 million years and say they may have found a new form of life

The head of the drilling rig used by the research team to drill to the Vostok underground lake

An aerial view of the Vostok research camp in Antarctica where Russian have drilled into the prehistoric sub-glacier Lake Vostok

A general view of the research camp in Antarctica, where researchers have spent years drilling into the ice

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

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Re: Sovereign wealth fund Let's have gender justice now

I

n 1977, the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as a UN day for women's rights and international peace with the aim of assisting nations globally to eliminate inequality and discrimination against women. Since then, member states including Nigeria have continued to celebrate this event annually. Thirty five years after this declaration it is desirable to appraise how well Nigeria has done in this area of bridging the gender gap!

Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, Article 7 of the Convention of Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Protocol to African Charter on the Rights of Women which provide that women shall have right to equal participation in public offices and hold same on equal terms with their male counterparts.

Regrettably, under the present political dispensation, out of 42 Ministers only 11 are women. In the 36 States no State has up to 5 women in their State Executive Cabinets and out of the 36 Electoral Resident Commissioners nominated in 2011 only 3 are women!

The struggle for gender equality is far from being won. Only a little progress has been made. Apart from the fact that women are not present in equal numbers in public offices, violence against women both in public and domestic settings have continued to increase. Cases of rape and spousal murder have become very rampant in our society. A visit to Kirikiri prison recently showed that about 70% of men are awaiting trial for the alleged murder of their spouses during violence in the home.

The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides in section 42(1) that no person shall be discriminated against on the basis of community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex,

WRITE TO US Peoples Daily Weekend welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed to: The Editor, Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

Email: opinion@peoplesdailyng.com religion or political opinion. As regards sex the provision is also in compliance with international conventions especially the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Section 42(1) specifically protects the right of women against discrimination based on sex. So also Section 15 (2) of the same Constitution.

The combined effect of the provisions of the two sections is that women are not in any way inferior to men, as far as the law is concerned.

On the contrary, there are provisions of our domestic laws, and even the Constitution itself, in some other sections, that negate the provision of sections 15(2) and 42(1). What is even worse is that most people are not aware of these provisions. It is therefore desirable to sensitise Nigerians with respect to these offensive and discriminating provisions with a view to further educating Nigerians and also bringing to the notice of the National and State Assemblies the need to take practical steps and repeal such laws. Below are some of the provisions: The serious criminal offence of having carnal knowledge of a girl being of or above thirteen years and under sixteen years of age or of a woman or girl who is an idiot or imbecile is classified as a misdemeanor which is punishable by two years imprisonment under Section 221 of the Criminal Code. Even then the accused may be discharged and acquitted if he can prove that he believed on

reasonable grounds that the girl was of or above the age of sixteen years.

Under section 18 of the Marriage Act (CAP M6) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, the written consent of the father of either party to an intended marriage is required if he or she is under 21 years of age. It is only if the father is dead or of unsound mind or absent from Nigeria that the written consent of the mother may be required. Although the Immigration Act does not provide for discrimination married women applying for Nigerian passport are required to submit the written consent of their husbands. A person whose mother is a Nigerian but whose father is a foreigner is not entitled to a Nigerian passport.

Working women in Nigeria are targets of discrimination under the Labour Act. For instance, section 54(3) of the Act states that "No employer shall be liable, in his capacity as an employer, to pay any medical expenses incurred by a woman during or on account of her pregnancy or confinement". Under section 55 and 56 of the Act women are prohibited from being employed on night work in a public or private industrial undertaking or any agricultural undertaking or in any mine.

Under the civil service rules of some states of the Federation it is specifically provided that ""Any woman servant, married or unmarried who is about to undertake a course of training of not more than six months duration shall be called

upon to enter into an agreement to refund the whole or part of the cost in the event of her course being interrupted on ground of pregnancy" .

In the Armed Forces, Police and Para-military institutions the fundamental rights of working women to dignity is not recognized. Thus, section 8 of the Terms and Conditions of Service for National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) states that all female officers "shall be unmarried on enlistment and shall remain so for a period not less than two years." Any newly recruited female officer who wishes to marry shall apply and obtain a written permission of the Chairman of the NDLEA. An unmarried female officer who becomes pregnant within the first two years of the service shall be discharged from the service of the NDLEA. Similarly, Regulation 124 made pursuant to the Police Act provides that "A woman police officer who is desirous of marrying must first apply in writing to the commissioner of police for the State Police command in which she is serving, requesting permission to marry and giving the name, address, and occupation of the person she intends to marry. Permission will be granted for the marriage if the intended husband is of good character and the woman police officer has served in the Force for a period of not less than three years".

No doubt, the laws which discriminate against women referred to in this article are by no means exhaustive. Therefore, the best way to celebrate this year's International Women's Day is for the Federal and State Governments to repeal and abolish all laws, official policies and customary practices which discriminate against women. In the alternative the ongoing review of the Constitution provides a golden opportunity for Nigerian legislators to stamp out all discriminatory laws and practices against women.

Mrs. Funmi Falana is a Lagos-based lawyer

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 37

Opinion The North does not control Nigeria's oil blocks

By Toyin Akinosho

S

e n a t o r Ita Enang's spirited claim at the National Assembly Wednesday to the effect that 83% of the country's oil block is in the hands of northerners appears to be inspired from assertions contained in an old article by a newspaper commentator, Mr. Ross AlaboGeorge whose famous essay was titled Poverty And Deprivation: Why The North Is Poor.

Alabo- George writes about the estate of the late Mai Deribe, the Bornu State born businessman, supposedly owning a huge oil field; Rilwanu Lukman having controlling shares in Afren; Atiku Abubakar being the stupendously rich beneficiary of the profits of Intels, the logistics company; Aminu Dantata's Express Petroleum. He ties Amni Petroleum to only Sani Bello.

Oil acreage ownership in Nigeria does not have ethnic colouration.

When Jibril Aminu handed out oil prospecting blocks, in the first comprehensive effort "to encourage indigenous participation" in 1991, he gave blocks to companies owned by Folawiyo, Abiola, Adenuga, Udoji, Ibru, Igbinedion,(all Southerners) as much as he gave to enterprises set up by people like Saleh Jumbo and Mai Deribe.

The author cites a number of hydrocarbon acreages belonging to Northern elites, but ignores the fact that holding an acreage is one thing; getting value out of it is another.

That so many people believe the poorly researched article, is testimony to poor knowledge of how the oil industry works.

The first field the author mentions is Obe field, which, he rightly claims, is held

by Cavendish Petroleum, a company set up by Alhaji Mai Deribe. Alabo- George lied by saying that the Obe field, the main hydrocarbon pool in OML 110, contains 500Million barrels of oil reserves.

The Obe field does not have a proven 20 Million barrels. I am not sure it has 10Million barrels. It is not producing as I write. The Obe field has not produced for five years, since 2007, when Tranfigura, the last technical partner engaged by Cavendish, walked out.

In countries where you don't have the complications that the NNPC brings to the table here, fields that haven't proven much more than 500Million barrels are "rushed" through to development.

Ghana's Jubilee field didn't prove a billion barrels before the country's authorities approved a field development plan. Apart from Nigeria, Angola, Libya, Algeria, Ghana (now, since 2008) and perhaps Equatorial Guinea, no African country has a billion barrels in proven reserves. 500 Million barrels is half of that.

Alabo George's second example of a wealthy northerner swimming in oil money is Mohammed Indimi, "a Fulani and close friend of General Ibrahim Babangida". He says "Oriental Energy Resources Limited runs three oil blocks: OML 115, the Okwok field and the Ebok field. OML 115 and Okwok are OML PSC,

while Ebok is an OML JV. All of them good yielding offshore oil blocks".

The author just doesn't care to verify his claims. True, Indimi's Oriental Resources holds the three assets. OML 115 is not producing as I write. No one has certified that there's a producible field in the acreage. Ebok is being produced, on Oriental Resources' behalf, by Afren, a UK listed company. Last year, the field delivered an average of 8,000Barrels of Oil per Day (BOPD), according to Afren's website. You can google it. Okwok, as I write, is still in development. Translation: it has produced nary a drop of oil.

Aminu Dantata's Express Petroleum holds the Oil Mining Lease 108, with technical partners Shebah Petroleum, which bought out Conoco, the original technical partners. Fine.

The Ukpokiti field, the main asset on the acreage, produced for quite a while; and should have made the Dantatas quite rich, over a period of more than seven years. The field died out at some point and is being revived as I write.

"NorthEast Petroleum is owned by another Fulani businessman from the North East, Alhaji Saleh Mohammed Jambo", Alabo-George testifies. "The license was awarded to him by General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida".

Another truth: North East Petroleum has NEVER produced a single drop of oil since that award in the early 90s. There, simply, hasn't been a discovery worth the while for operator TOTAL. I agree that Theophilus Danjuma, also a Northerner, is entitled to contest for the award of the man who made the most fortune, at a sitting, on an oil acreage in Nigeria.

Alabo-George's article, in his rush to conclusions, even understates the significance, by claiming that Danjuma's company, South Atlantic Petroleum Limited (SAPETRO), made $1Billion from the deal.

The truth is that China National Overseas Offshore Company (CNOOC) signed a definitive agreement with SAPETRO to acquire a 45% working interest in OML 130 for $2.268 billion cash.

I don't know how much the broker of the deal took, but I am yet to confirm if the Nigerian government earned any withholding tax from that transaction.

In spite of what he has earned "upfront", Danjuma's SAPETRO gets 25,600Barrels of Oil per day for its 15% of OML 130 from the Akpo field, which is delivering 175,000BOPD. But if you complain about Northerner Danjuma, what about the Alakijas, a Yoruba couple whose company, Famfa Oil, is "entitled", every day, to 25,000BOPD from Chevron operated Agbami Field, located in deepwater OML 127?

These two companies are two of the four largest producing Nigerian companies today. The other two are Adenuga's Conoil (25,000BOPD) and Seplat Petroleum(37,000BOPD) operated, 16,000BOPD, equity).

Only one of those four companies is

Northern owned. And it is outright falsehood that "80 per cent of crude oil and gas produced by indigenous companies is controlled by the NorthEast".

But, as I said again: which technical and managerial capacity are we building on the back of the rent collected from these leases. It's the real job.

The last example I'd touch, before the concluding commentary, for space purposes, is the case of Rilwan Lukman, who Alabo-Gorge cites as having controlling shares in Afren, the UK listed company. Lukman was there on the ground floor of the construction of Afren, around 2004, no doubt, but the key founders of Afren are Ethelbert Cooper, the Liberian businessman and Osman Shahenshah, who is the current Chief Executive.

What people like Lukman and Egbert Imomoh, the other Nigerian on the company's board in the founding days, did, is the kind of thing I urge Nigerians in their positions to do.

Use your knowledge to access and create value, not to grab and destroy value. Cooper and Shanenshah knew that Lukman(then out of office both from OPEC and as Nigerian special adviser), and Imomoh(then recently retired as Deputy Managing Director Of Shell Nigeria) knew the Nigerian oil industry deeply and could access oil and gas fields that were lying fallow.

Shanenshah, coming from a financial services background, knew how to raise funds: the most important thing in oilfield exploration and development. Indeed the first piece of news by which most people knew of the existence of Afren was that the IMF had agreed to give a 5Million dollar loan to this company, which was only just about starting. It pays to have Lukman on your board.

Yet, in spite of Lukman's influence in the Nigerian polity, Afren had never accessed Nigerian acreages via government awards. Afren, cash in hand, running a technically proficient company, approaches Nigerian indigenous owners of assets-like Ndimi's Oriental Resources, Amni and several marginal field holders, and signs agreements with them to be technical partners.

After Afren has recovered its investment via cost oil, Afren and the company continue to share the proceeds from the field 50:50 for the life of the field.

Afren uses Nigerian technical capacity to a large degree and it trains a lot of people.

But it can do more.

Afren has never benefitted from bid round or government-sanctioned discretionary awards, so why would anyone link Lukman's involvement in Afren in a list that has a number of Northerners supposedly benefitting from government largesse? That is part of the trouble I have with Alabo-George's essay.

What Atiku Abubakar has done with Intels has parallels in other sectors of the economy and is comparable with what Yoruba chieftains, Ijaw leaders, Igbo High Chiefs, Idoma overlords, etc, etc, have

done with many other companies operating here.

That's how people became key shareholders of companies like Julius Berger. As I write, the key sentiment underlining the complaints against the tolling on the Lekki Expressway is that "most of the money will go to Tinubu's pocket". That's the word on the street.

Brokerage is not a bad thing on its own, but what we need to stress is a level playing field, rule of law, security of tenor and equity and fairness as much as possible, for all.

If I really want to be mischievous, I'd focus on the recent deal in which Shell and Agip have had to pay in excess of one billion dollars to Dan Etete, a south-south man, for stakes in Oil Prospecting Lease OPL 245. And I would ask "Is that necessarily right"? Should the president, a south-south Ijaw man, have waded in to ask Shell and Agip to move the deal forward? But that's a story for another day.

In my book, people from everywhere have taken advantage of the unstructured way we have dispensed with oil and gas acreages. Naming names about which Northerner got what size of the pie is less useful than a focus on how government is insisting on open and transparent bidding, but more importantly, on Nigerian technical knowhow and management.

You can't hand over an acreage and walk away. You have to monitor what the holder is doing. How he is ensuring employment. If we can't, with all the treasure, build five private E&P companies that have the internal competencies that Shell has and can go out and buy and operate assets the way that UBA and GTB and Ecobank venture into Ghana and The Gambia, then we have wasted all of the 56 years we have spent since the hoorah at Oloibiri.

Akinosho, a petroleum geologist and former news reporter, is now publisher of African Oil+Gas Report.

“

The last example I'd touch, before the concluding commentary, for space purposes, is the case of Rilwan Lukman, who AlaboGorge cites as having controlling shares in Afren, the UK listed company.

Lukman was there on the ground floor of the construction of Afren, around 2004, no doubt, but the key founders of Afren are Ethelbert Cooper, the Liberian businessman and Osman Shahenshah, who is the current Chief Executive.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

Online comments Recruitment, promotion irregularities rock Army Why did the officers in charge of the various corps of the Nigeria Army in the first place present officers of various courses instead of either one or at best, four of same course so that they can contest orally or otherwise?

– John Ogwuche Whatever is the reason behind this publication, the Presidency should not treat the report with levity. It deserves to be properly investigated to determine how factual it is. It portends a grave danger for this country if actually it is true. On the other way round, the publisher should be made to face the music if the story is found to be fictitious.

– Nasty Gusto Funny indeed.

The Hausa/ Fulani held sway in the military all these years. They recruited, promoted, deployed, and fired at will. Nobody uttered a word. What comes around goes around –Obembe

department without being interviewed. This is just a few of the atrocities. As it is happening here so also in other MDAs. Honestly, it is a sad development.

– Folo One term of Buhari will be far better for Nigeria than 16 years of PDP. Let thy word be thy bond – Anonymous I thought editorial pages of newspapers are laid out to say the truth about issues? The editorial I just read could only be described as laid out ploy to mislead the reader.My questions; why did the editors not publish the so called agreement they got from Gov. Aliyu? Why didn't the paper make intelligent points about our constitution and its interpretation on this issue? Why were they silent on the ruling of The Abuja High

Still on Okonjo-Iweala's controversial appointments (II) I can see the sentiment you share in your face, why not compare all the agencies in Nigeria looking at which state controls what in terms of appointment before coming out with this your figment of imagination.

- Ali Davidson O I am trying to understand the point being made out in this article.

It is definitely not sensible. I am in support of the merit based process being adopted by the minister of finance. All those opposing her are doing that for their own selfish purpose.

- John Shuaib and his cohorts are always playing ethnic politics, hiding behind the guise of human rights.

If Hausa/Fulani occupies all the key positions, I bet you nobody will make noise or complain. They are always complaining if an Igbo man or woman is appointed to any position. If you believe in merit than mediocrity, then allow the best brains to lead any organization in Nigeria.

Ezekwesili hits FG again

APC, the pill Nigerians must swallow - John Jay FOLO says: It is unfortunate that every policy of government is being thwarted by some unscrupulous heads of MDAs. I know of a Parastatal in Education headed by a Professor.

Here, merit is sacrificed for mediocrity, no advert let alone interviews conducted ; even the son's girl friend had position reserved before her wedding. His girlfriend's brother heads the Audit department. He brought in a Deputy director to head the Stores

they should guide Government properties.

- Abubabar Ibrahim Gajibo

True democracy can't survive without certain conditionsGeneral Buhari(I) You are right but I believe if ANPP/CPC had been there, they would have done the same in 1999, 2003,2007 and 2011 - Ali Davidson

Court? Look, this country belongs to us all, you cannot do anything about this issue with all your misleading lies. That conscience of yours, will continue to be an open wound and only the truth can heal it.

– Kunle Igoni Unity is strength.

– Agu Christian Back in Nigeria we are still being held captive in our hypocritical posture in religious intolerance.

Islamic finance would soon captivate the entire World. In what else have we not lagged behind?

– Mohammed Bello

Obasanjo's attack dog is on the loose again.

- Wujuwuju Jonathan set to declare amnesty If Jonathan should try such, he must be ready to end his political career - Ola

True talk General. PDP and Jonathan's rigging started from election funding.Oil subsidy that was never above 500 billion Naira a year earlier went up to 1.7 trillion Naira in 2011 all for presidential election. Sir, you cannot retire now. You must contest in 2015 In view of the need to achieve and by God's grace you will win and lasting peace,amnesty should be clear this country of corruption. declared. The JTF should also leave - Awojobi Olakunle the streets, and where necessary, What is the amnesty for? is it a thank you party for killing innocent Ngerians. I wonder the future we are creating for this country.

- Ali Chika Oge

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

Interview Every problem in marriage can be tackled through communication – Dr. Farida

C

an you give us a brief history of your life?

My name is Dr. Farida Abdullahi Yelwa.

I am a graduate of Usman Danfodio University. I am the first born in my family and the only girl. I am 25 years old. In terms of hobbies, I like to travel, I like to read and I also like to sleep. My best friend's name is also Farida. She's also here at the wedding.

What informed your decision to read medicine?

Actually, my decision to read medicine was more of something my parents wanted. It was something that I wanted to do when I was a child and it just came naturally when I graduated from secondary school. I applied for medicine and I was lucky enough to have gained admission.

Though the journey was not easy but with the support of my family and friends, finally, I am through with everything.

Being the b r i d e , you are t h e toast o f t h e moment.

Tell us; how did you meet your husband?

Actuayl, I met m y husband through a cousin of mine. He told me that

had been asking him about me. I actually met him just out of respect because we are family friends and since it was my cousin that he spoke to. I respect my cousin a lot so I agreed to meet with him.

In the beginning, it was not actually easy because when he met me, I was already with someone else but as fate will have it, I was destined to marry him and here we are.

When you met him, what was the first thing he said to you?

Actually, when I met him, he was shy. He didn't say anything. I was rather the one talking. When I later got tired, I said well, I'm tired of doing the talking. If you don't want to talk, I am going. When I wanted to go, that was when he started speaking. He told me he was from Yauri. He

there was this young man told me wDr. h o Farida h a d b e e nAbdullahi p e s t e r i n g aYelwa bout his family house. He him, he is from Yauri and he a l s o t o l d m e h e h a d b e e n

The transition from the early years of a girl to womanhood can be very exciting. Then comes the period when she has feelings of anxiety, especially when she is about to marry. In this interview with Miriam Humbe, Dr. Farida Abdullahi Yelwa, daughter of Kebbi state born veteran journalist, publisher and public affairs analyst Alhaji Abdullahi Yelwa, who wed her heartthrob, Nura in Yauri last weekend said she has identified communication as an ingredient for a lasting marriage.

Excerpts: asking about me for a while but people told him I was already with someone else, but he just wanted to see if he could get lucky. I guess he was lucky.

Why did you decide he was the man for you?

He is very understanding, very kind, and very loving and above all, he cares a lot about me and that made the decision for me. I decided at that point that he was the man I want to spend the rest of my life with.

Was marrying him your decision or that of your family?

It was my decision.

M y family couldn't h a v e decided for me.

Apart f r o m h i s k i n d disposition towards me, he i s someone who tries t o encourage me on every endeavour.

When I was in school, he was always encouraging me.

He is someone who always wants the best for me. He i s everything one can ever wish for in a spouse; someone t h a t c a n support y o u and be y o u r partner a n d h e l p y o u through l i f e .

That is a v e r y good quality in him that I

admire.

The transition from girlhood to womanhood, what does it mean to you?

It actually means a lot to me because I am going down a road which I am not familiar with. When you hear that so and so married that teh marriage didn’t succeed. That's actually topmost on my thoughts.

The road to success is not always smooth. How were you able to surmount the challenges you encountered while training as a medical doctor?

Medical school was not easy, I wouldn't lie. Up till today, I am still surprised that I got through with it because right from time, I have always been the type to be scared but that same fear made me do my best.

Medical school was not easy but I couldn't have gone through it without the help of God, my parents and friends who have been very supportive through every examination, test, let-down and disappointment; and I am very grateful. School was not very easy because all of us medical students, it was like we didn't have a life outside school because our lives were centred around our books. You see your friends out there having fun, but we were too scared to attempt things like this because we were always thinking, if I go out there to catch fun while my friends are back there reading. It actually keeps you focussed and every time you feel you can't do it anymore or you were ready to give up, our families were always there to encourage us and to also push us forward. That has been very helpful and we wouldn't be here today without them.

Your wedding is quite elaborate and well attended. Is it exactly your dream kind of wedding?

My parents have been wonderful. They have really gone out of their way. I wouldn't wish for a better wedding. This is the exact wedding I dreamed of. It is

even more than what I expected and I am very grateful for that. It is beyond my expectations.

The turnout from friends and family is also highly impressive and I am very grateful for that.

Some misunderstandings must have cropped up during your courtship.

How did you go about resolving them?

As our aunties and uncles have been advising us so far, they kept on mentioning communication which is s o m e t hing we already had without even knowing.

Everything is about communication. You cannot stay with someone without hurting him or her. The best way to go about solving problems is communication and this is how we handle ours.

There is no relationship without its own ups and downs.

At the end of the day, both parties are reminded of the reason why they went into the relationship in the first place and what they aim to achieve.

Then, every relationship is worth saving. Every problem in a relationship can be solved through communication, which is what we do. We communicate a lot. If I do something he doesn't like, he tells me. If he does something I don't like, I tell him. We are not arrogant, we are not proud.

Saying sorry to each other is not a big deal. If you hurt someone you claim to care about, saying sorry should not be a big problem. That is how we solve our issues. We communicate, we tell each other what we don't like and what we like and I hope we'll continue that way in marriage.

“

School was not very easy because all of us medical students, it was like we didn't have a life outside school because our lives were centred around our books.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 41

Weekend I won't advise my worst enemy to take to wrestling, says 'Ladi African Tiger' Former World Champion, Oba Oladipo Arokola Buraimo, the Onidera of Idera, popularly known as Ladi The African Tiger, in this interview with our Correspondent in Ilorin, Olanrewaju Lawal, reveals his ordeals as a professional wrestler and gave reasons he would not allow any of his children to take to wrestling as career job.

Excerpt: Background His Royal Highness, Oba Oladipo Arokola Buraimo, the present Onidera of Idera, a town in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, was born in 1957. The last of nine children, attended primary school in Idera and secondary school in Oro-Ago, a nearby town.

He went to the United States in 1977 to further his education in Georgia.

He supported his schooling by working at pop putting barbecue grills together on an assembly line.

He later relocated to Houston where he got a job with Shell Petroleum. He had stint in basketball before opting to wrestling.

How did you start your wrestling profession, sir?

I have been asked this severally. Well, I was very big and strong and I do recall that we used to wrestle once the moon comes on in the village under the moon in the sand which we called "Gidigbo-Gidigbo". Then, I never knew anything about wrestling. Power Mike was the only Wrestler I knew in Nigeria then. When I went to USA, I played America soccer and I was only walking out. I love wrestling and I watch it a lot. As I was going to school, I do go to arena to watch wrestling.

One day, I went to watch a wrestling match at Hilton,Texas and a guy called Ernie"Big Cat" Ladd saw me and picked me out of the crowd. He asked me, where are you from and I told him am Africa, from Nigeria. He developed interest in me. He further asked me if I ever think of wrestling. I said no, no, I can't be doing what they wrestlers are doing inside the rig. Then, it was only Kamala, from Ugandan that was only African Professional Wrestler.

Kamala the Ugandan Giant,

and he was from Mississippi.

He told me to think about it and and promise to train me as a professional wrestler because I have that energy and body. So, a month later, they came with Justin Roll, Mike Danniel and the owner of the league. They all call me that " guy, you just have to be a wrestler. You are big, strong and you a African. We want you to become a Professional Wrestler. So, I accepted. I went to training school for nine month.

Infact, I went through hell.

But little did I know that God. Want to use me for another purpose like this throne for the people of my country.

I learnt a lot, took many risks, and it was all part of my life.

How did you met General Ibrahim Babagida, the former Head of State?

This wrestling profession make me famous. Little did I know that many important personalities in tjhe world are watching. During regime of former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babagida, he was in Ilorin in 1987 to commission ARMTI. I don't know the head of state do watch me when Journalists were interview then in channel 4,Channel 8 in Lagos state. Then, any time I came to Nigeria, at the Lagos airport, they would interview me. Because then, I wrestled Micho Hayes, Undertaker, Assinssins, Big Foot in Nigeria.

At the commissioning, IBB pointed at me to come, I did not notice until the crowd said the Head of state is calling me. So, he asked me to follow them to Government House in Ilorin.

I followed them. Our Military administrator was Alwali Jaji Kazeem. IBB asked me on that day that he didn't believe am from Kwara state that it can't be possible. He said I didn't speak like Yoruba man but

Oba Oladipo Arokola Buraimo sounded like American. I told him also that it was just like himself who people believe his from Ogbomoso not Northern state. He laugh over it and I told him this is town, am really from Idera.

He was so suprised and urged me to become world champion and see what

Nigeria would do for me.

He said he always watch me on TV and all my interviews on Channels 4 and 8 where I always wears Green and White Nigeria uniform. He said I am patriotic to be true. He encoirage me to fight for world champion which I did

in 1988. Unfortiunatly, after I won that tittle, I went to Dodan barrack to see IBB as promised, I was at his ADC office, I was not allowed to see him. I was walked out.

Few years later, he came to Ilorin and he saw me. He Continued on page 42

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

I won't advise my worst enemy to take to wrestling, says 'Ladi African Tiger' Continued from page 41 asked me why I didn't see him again. I said came but I was not allow to see him. He looked at me and said it was your people. So, he told me on that day that God will help me to reach my destination. I held on on that and today, here we are.

What did you like most in your wrestling profession?

My career took from the bottom to the top. What I love most today is that I became a good role model for our youths and children. Many little kids whose parent were not married when am wrestling then would alway shout my name"Ladi,Ladi, Africa Tiger' whenever they saw me along the roads. I would respond.

One day, its happed like that after I was crown a King. One of my children was annouyed and started insulted them that they should not his father, Oba, his Royal Highness my name. I cautioned him immediately that it was not their faults but mine. I was a wrestler and that make them known me. So, that prompt me to continue doing good things in life and toes the right path. People would know

God has been my strenght.

You saw my daughter when you are coming in right here, big and strong. That is how I was when am very young. I took after my parent. We have that natural physic and I used to train for six hours every day.

Though, in USA, they tried to confuse me to using testerone but I refused. I used to argue with them that if I have natural power, why using drug again?

They usually takes that drug in USA beacuase they don't have that natural power we African exhibit. That is reason many wrestlers die very young in their career. I have seen a lot of those I met in wrestling and those that joined lately dying because the drug affected their livers,hearts and kidneys. So, am naturally gifted by God. Before fighting inside the rig, I would knelt down at my corner and pray to God to see me through.

you with your deeds and actions.

A friend called me one day that he saw a boy at USA that resemble me and immediately they met, he prostrated to him instead of shaking hands with him like other Nigerians guys in America. I told him that he learnt a lot from me,his father.

My parent also taught me to be humble,honest and respect elders and that make me excel.

How are you developing your community?

The old generations are going. What am doing right now is to bring youths outside the town back home. I had made nine of them including outsider to takes up Chieftancy title of their families. That would help them to contribute their quota to the development of the community. By Eid-Kabir festival, all of them would converge in Idera for coronation ceremony.

Can you tell us some of the watches won and your laurels?

As a professional Wrestler, it would be difficult to count your watches and laurrels won.

Oba Oladipo Arokola Buraimo Beacuase, often, I have to travel from one place to another in USA to fight. Sometime, I travel from on city to another. I wrestled with Macho man, undertaker, Michi Hayes, Spoiler,Iron Sheet,Rocky Johson, the father of Rock. Rock started wrestling when I retired from the profession. For good eight years I spent in the profession, it was not only good, but I went through pains. In Nigeria, I won world title against Micho Hayes in Lagos state.

What happened between you and Micho Hayes in Ilorin during your first fight. I remember he broken your nose sir.

Yes, he broken my nose. We wrestled first in Ilorin,Kwara State capital and in Lagos where I won world title. Air Commodore Bayo Lawal was the Minister of Sports then. And in Kwara State, Mrs Sarah Jubril was commissioner for Sports.

Both were at the Ilorin stadium and Lagos to watch us at the arena. There was no way I can tell you what happen at Ilorin match.

But you sustained nose injury then.

He hit my nose against iron pole not that rubber conner clothed panel. That was how he broken my nose.

It was rumoured that the match was staged managed?

Everybody do says that even till now. But it was not true. Any person who believe in that should just jump into the rig, run from one end to another just for 5 minutes,if he comes

out, he could justifies what am saying. Inside the rig, we don't just do runing, we do calastimic, one go throug hell for 45 minutes inside the rig. So, tell me who can do that as supernatural human being?

When am still a professional, I used to train for six hours everyday. I can't do that again during my days, there was no money in wrestling until Hulk Hoga came to the profession and bought the league over. He took it to Stock Exchange Market and they are giving them contracts.

In our days, we would wrestled for $200 for a week. Now, they are wrestling for $100 million for a week. So, people should stop saying that wrestling are stage managed. In 2003, my leg was broken and all the money I earned then went for my medical bills because there was no Insurance for us.

So, any time I see these young boys chasing football, I do advise them to study and get their degree first so that if they sustained any leg injury, there would be something to fall back with. All the money I gathered earlier in my wrestling career was lavished. But God was so wonderful to me. I went back to USA and am doing fine today.

Does any of your children takes to wrestling sir?

Lai lai!(Not possible). No, I can't even allow my worst enemy to do that. In fact, today, I can't watch wrestling by myself again. Beacuse, I would see it as if am the one fighting inside the rig.

What was your sources of power then? Are you using drug to energise yourself?

Whom would you consider as your toughest opponent during your wrestling career.?

That is the guy that broken my leg. They called him Doctor Death, his name is Stephen Williams.

It was not intentionally done, it was accident on that day. He wanted to give me 'power driver', that is when opponent carry you above his shoulder with your head down; he wanted to hit my head betweet his tight and so, his legs fell apart and my legs hit the concrete floor. That was September 27, 1989 in USA. I can't forget that day in my life.

But thank God am alive today.

My friends stayed with me and I spent most of money in the hospital.

How would you compare life inside the rig and being a traditional ruler?

The two are not comparable.

The only contrast is strategy. I realised that being a leader is the toughest thing anybody could handle. Yoruba will says ' as a leader, you are leading different kind of human being, poor, rich, wisest, morons and sort of human being you could think of. I realised that people are the most difficult creator to control.

I was in USA June\July and I saw Barrack Obama on TV, his black hairs have turned to white. The reason was because of stress. He bacame President of USA very vibrant and young.

Look at him now, he look older like adding 20 years into his age. That is leadership.

Despite the fact that many people came to plead to me to accept the throne, few people took me to Court because thay are jealous of the throne. Some of my mentors among the First Class Traditional rulers in the country including Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari told me to see as a measure for me to last long on the throne.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 43

Chelsea may add to Manchester United pain C

helsea defender David Luiz has warned Manchester United that his team is determined to add to their rivals' misery when they clash in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend.

United are still reeling from their agonising UEFA Champions League last 16 exits against Real Madrid on Tuesday and the fall-out from Alex Ferguson's surprise decision to drop Wayne Rooney for the showdown with the Spanish giants.

Chelsea have little chance of catching United in the Premier League title race and winning the Cup for the fifth time in seven seasons would offer some solace for the holders and their beleaguered interim manager Rafael Benitez.

And, with Benitez in charge only until May, Brazil star Luiz believes it is imperative the players, dogged by reports of dressing room unrest, work together to salvage the campaign.

"This is the key for big clubs to win titles and win games," said Luiz. "In Chelsea we have a strong team, strong changing room.

All the players play together.

"It's difficult sometimes when we've lost games. People speak a lot. But I think in Chelsea we have a great family, great players and the players to support this pressure."

Things did not improve for Chelsea on Thursday, however, when they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Europa League.

For United's bitter rivals Manchester City, who host Championship strugglers Barnsley, the Cup represents their last realistic chance to win some silverware in a disappointing season.

Even City boss Roberto Mancini admits his team has only a faint opportunity of making up the 12-point gap to United in the league, but the club's Argentine defender Pablo Zabaleta offered hope for a positive end to the campaign as he hailed the revitalised

Mikel

Persie

Carlos Tevez.

Tevez missed most of last season after going into exile following a touchline row with Mancini, but he has finally recaptured peak form of late, scoring the winner at Aston Villa on Monday after notching a fine strike against Chelsea the previous week.

"Everybody makes mistakes and the positive thing is Carlos came back again and his commitment for the club and team has been 100 per cent, so full credit to him for that," Zabaleta said.

"He is back to his best and he scored a fantastic goal against Chelsea and I think he's been great all season. His work-rate is fantastic."

Meanwhile, Everton midfielder Leon Osman has warned his team-mates not to underestimate struggling Wigan when they meet at Goodison Park.

David Moyes' team are 21 points ahead of Wigan in the Premier League, but Osman believes that will count for nothing

in the Cup, especially after two testing league encounters with the Latics this season.

"The two games we have had against Wigan have been right up there with the toughest we have had," Osman said.

"We have taken four points from the games but they haven't come easily and we know what to expect come Saturday."

There will be at least one second-tier team in the semi-finals as Millwall face fellow Championship club Blackburn at the Den. Both sides have struggled of late, but Blackburn manager Michael Appleton believes the return to fitness of former Newcastle striker Leon Best could make the difference against 2004 Cup runners-up Millwall.

"The thought of having him available week-in and week-out certainly whets the appetite, gives me options, and he is a player opposition teams won't fancy coming up against," Appleton said.

NSC inaugurates 8-man Centenary C'ttee

By Albert Akota

T

h e National Sports Commission (NSC) has inaugurated an 8-man sub- centenary committee that

Bolaji Abdullahi

would be responsible for organizing sporting events during the 100-year anniversary of the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria.

Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, Minister of Sports Malam Bolaji Abdullahi charged the team to work closely with the committee set up by the federal government for the celebration that comes up in 2014.

According to him, the committee would further coordinate and implement the sports activities of the centenary anniversary as well as organised a befitting sporting events to mark the celebration.

"We are inaugurating the committee today for the sole purpose of organising sporting events for the 100-year celebration of Nigeria; I know you can do it for Nigeria because I want you to work assiduously for the interest of

Nigerians.

"I want you to work closely with the federal government committee for the anniversary, your major role is to organize sports activities to mark the celebration, I still want you (committee) to come up with idea that can develop sports in Nigeria, "minister directed.

While commending the minister for the confidence repose on the committee, chairman of the team, Fabio Lanikpekun promised to organise memorable and historical sports event to mark the anniversary.

He assured that the team would work to the satisfaction of the commission and Nigerians in general, and added that the array of professionals in the sporting sector will be involved. The members were Kunle Solaja, Olukayede Thomas, Ayofunde Adelakun, Obi Saika, Simon Ebhojiaye, Kayode Tijani and Mrs. Kema Chikwe

WEEKEND FIXTURES Barclays Premier League Norwich v Southampton QPR v Sunderland Reading v Aston Villa West Brom v Swansea Sunday Newcastle v Stoke Liverpool v Tottenham French Ligue 1 PSG v AC Ajaccio v Troyes v Evian TG v Brest v Valenciennes v

AS Nancy Lorient Reims Sochaux Toulouse Lille

Sunday Nice Bordeaux Lyon

Montpellier Bastia Marseille

v v v

German Bundesliga Bayern Munich v Schalke 04 v SC Freiburg v Mainz v Greuther Furth v B/ M'gladbach v

F/Dusseldorf B/ Dortmund Wolfsburg B/ Leverkusen TSGHfm W/ Bremen

Sunday Hannover 96 VfB Stuttgart

v v

Eintracht Hamburg

Italy Serie A Udinese

v

Roma

Sunday Atalanta Juventus Chievo Cagliari Palermo Parma Inter Milan Lazio

v v v v v v v v

Pescara Catania Napoli Sampdoria Siena Torino Bologna Fiorentina

Spanish Primera Liga Rayo Vallecano v Valladolid v Barcelona v Mallorca v

Espanyol Malaga D/La Coruna Sevilla

Sunday Athletic Bilbao Levante Celta Vigo Atletico Madrid

v v v v

Valencia Getafe R/Madrid dos Real Sociedad

The FA Cup Everton Man City

v v

Wigan Barnsley

Sunday Millwall Man Utd

v v

Blackburn Chelsea

PAGE 44

P I C T O R I A L

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has named a strong squad for this month's Brazil 2014 qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia, with Jose-Maria Basanta of Mexico's Monterrey the only surprise name listed.

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez remains optimistic that his side can overturn their UEFA Europa League loss at Steaua Bucharest, saying their looming FA Cup quarter-final tie against Manchester United was not a distraction.

Tottenham will be without Gareth Bale against Inter Milan in the San Siro next week after he picked up his third booking of the Europa League season in their 30 win, although Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas admitted he was pleased as it gives the Wales star a clean slate

Laura Robson and Heather Watson both suffer first-round defeats on a bad day for Britain's women in Indian Wells.

Highly rated Sprinter Sacre heads nine entries for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 45

Insight

Meet Obama, the prayer caller From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

T

he house of a supervisory councillor of health department, Daura Local Government Council of Katsina state, Alhaji Ahmad Ahidjo Rufa’I has turned to a tourist attraction as visitors from within and outside the area came calling to catch a glimpse of his miracle dog named Obama.

The strange dog is reputed with the talent of imitating the call to prayer through echoing.

During a visit by Peoples Daily Weekend, Ahidjo disclosed the many mysteries surrounding the dog to our correspondent, saying: " I have been with this dog for the past two years. It was named Obama because on the day I collected it I was wearing a shoe called Obama."

He noted that it was only of recent that they noticed that the once quiet dog had started exhibiting some miraculous traits by always echoing the call to prayer whenever it started in nearby Mosques.

"It does echo the call to prayer every time but his echoing is more noticeable during the Subh, Magrib and the Isha prayers."

He stated that when the dog started they thought it was a mere coincidence until it became a daily routine for the miraculous dog. According to him, ‘we no longer rely on wall clock or hand watch for prayer time as the dog always echoes it during prayer time as a reminder for us’.

Spiritually these types of traits or behaviours in animals were considered a miracle and God’s signs to his servants. The Imam of Jabiri Mosque in Funtua, Imam Hussaini Abubakar Jabiri said " this is a sign from Allah for people to fear Him and know He is one true God. Histories of communities have shown how these signs were sent to them by Allah" He supported his position by quoting a verse of the Holy Qur’an ‘ Laisa Allaika Hudahum WalakinnallahYahadi Manyasha’ stating that the Prophets were sent to warn humanities but according to him there are signs sent by Allah as a guide to humanity.

Dog Obama Imam Jabiri narrated the story of the ‘People of the Cave’ in the Holy Qur’an who were with a dog throughout their stay in the cave. He noted "this dog can be a sign to those who have doubts to strengthen their faith" Also speaking about the miraculous dog, the Funtua zonal Veterinary Officer, Dr. Abdul’aziz Najib, noted that there were some behaviors about the dog that need to

be observed scientifically. Firstly he said the dog has to be observed whether it has muscle or nerve paralysis, it also has to be observed whether it hides its tails behind its legs.

He added that these are behaviours that would show if it has rabies infection that would make it act abnormally. Dr Najib disclosed that "it would die within 14 days if it has rabies."

Similarly, the veterinary doctor noted

that " if these signs are absent and it is acting that way then we should conclude that it is God’s miracle’.

The dog owner however explained that the dog was fully licensed and properly taken care of in terms of medication. He noted that all the behaviours listed to conclude that the dog may be insane were absent.

For now Obama remain a recent miraculous discovery in Katsina state and it would continue to attract comments from both theUlamas and veterinary doctors from within and outside the country.

“

Spiritually these types of traits or behaviours in animals were considered a miracle and God’s signs to his servants.

The Imam of Jabiri Mosque in Funtua, Imam Hussaini Abubakar Jabiri said " this is a sign from Allah for people to fear Him and know He is one true God. Dr. Abdul'aziz Najib, Zonzl vet officer, Funtua

Imam Hussaini Abubakar Jabiri

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

Feature

When Abdulsalami visited Katsina From Lawal Sa'idu Funtua, Katsina

“

G

overnor Shema has done well with meagre resources", these were the words of former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar when he visited Katsina last week and took time to visit a fraction of Governor Shema's administration's landmark projects across the state.

The Former Head of State in company of some of the governor's aides including the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Salisu Yusuf Majigiri; Commissioner of Agriculture, Alhaji Musa Adamu Funtua; Commissioner of Information, Culture and Home Affairs; Alhaji Gide Sani Batagarawa; Special Adviser to the Governor on Poverty Alleviation, Alhaji Bature Masari; Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Malam Halilu Yahaya Bakori; and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Alhaji Lawal Ahmad Matazu and a team of journalists visited some of the projects sites comprising the new multibillion naira Government House, the state of the art Katsina Ring Road, the 250-bed space, Katsina Orthopaedic Hospital, the new Olympic size stadium among others.

At the new Government House, General Abubakar was conducted round the magnificent edifice billed for completion in the next few months. The facilities at the building on completion would include, the governor's office phase 1, internal of road network, banquet hall, deputy governor's office, clinic, security and control gate, Press Centre, canteen , energy centre/workshop, mosque, steward quarters, Lantanas out sport court, presidential aides quarters phase 11, additional office block, security quarters, indoor sports hall, governor's guest chalet, construction of two mosques, presidential lodge, Juma'at Mosque, bulk stores among others.

One interesting fact about the new Government House is that it costs the state government nothing as the funds are from the proceeds of other investments.

From the new Government House, the former head of state took a long drive along the Katsina Ring Road which is almost 100 percent completed. The road circles the town and would open up a new settlement. It would also provide some relief for the fast growing Katsina traffic. Apart from the ring road, the state capital is to have

Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and some aides of Governor Shema township roads while several roads are to be constructed in major towns across the state. Notable among these are the Malumfashi, Ingawa and Dutsin-ma dual carriage ways; the Mani township road; and the Funtua northern bypass.

The former head of state also visited the multi-billion naira Katsina Orthopaedic Hospital. The hospital is intended to provide first class services to patients with bone related deformities. This would go a long way in saving citizens of the state and beyond from the dangers of permanent disability. The hospital is near 100 percent completion; all the required building structures have been completed while 100 percent of the required equipment have been supplied. Going round the hospital, General Abubakar described the hospital as "one of the best in the whole of Africa".

He praised the initiative of the Katsina state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema for putting the state's meagre resources to better use for the benefit the present and future generations in Katsina state. To effectively run the orthopaedic hospital the state government has entered into partnership with some foreign

countries and groups on the provision of technical expertise.

The former head of state also visited the magnificent Olympicsize stadium which is located along Katsina-Mani road in Katsina metropolis. The stadium was started by the past governments in the state but suffered series of abandonment and neglect despite the huge investment made in it and its importance to the development of sport in the state and the country at large. At present however, work on the stadium through the commitment of the state government has reached an advanced stage.

According to the government, all things being equal, the project should be completed by the end of 2013. The stadium would surely boost sporting activities in the state and it would also provide an alternative venue for international matches by various Nigerian clubs. Apart from the football pitch, the statdium has other sporting facilities for various games.

One of the areas where General Abubakar scored the Katsina state government high was in the maintenance of peace and security. Katsina state is in fact one of the most peaceful states in the

federation. The sustenance of peace by the Governor Shema's administration has translated into attracting various businesses into the state. The state is now a haven for investors and other small business operators. Despite the lingering security challenges facing the northern part of Nigeria, Katsina remains relatively stable.

General Abubakar observed: 'I pray Katsina would continue to enjoy peace. This would surely bring development'.

General Abubakar was also at the maiden convocation ceremony of the Umaru Musa 'Yar'adua University, Katsina.

The university conceived by the late President 'Yar'adua was nurtured to maturity by

Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

The university added three faculties to the original four it started operating with which include the School of Medical Sciences, School of Management and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Law. During the convocation ceremony, the ViceChancellor, Prof. Muuta Ibrahim noted: 'reports received from employers have indicated that the products of this university are doing well in their various places of work'. The university is now operating on its permanent site along Katsina-Dutsin-ma road in Batagarawa local government.

The university can comfortably boast of one of the best lecture theatres in the country.

“

The former head of state also visited the multi-billion naira Katsina Orthopaedic Hospital. The hospital is intended to provide first class services to patients with bone related deformities.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

PAGE 47

From the Pulpit Managing your weaknesses (I)

A

dictionary defines weakness as lack of strength or determination, weak point, character flaw, fondness or object of desire. The weakness of a Christian can involve all of these. A weakness is a limitation.

Everybody has an area of his life where he is weak, where he lacks strength, where he cannot do something or do much. We all have both strengths and weaknesses assets and liabilities.1Cor.12:29-31 says, "Is everyone an apostle? Of course not. Is everyone a prophet?

No. Are all teachers? Does everyone have the power to do miracles? Does everyone have the gift of healing? Of course not. Does God give all of us the ability to speak in unknown languages? Can everyone interpret unknown languages? No!" (NLT) Nobody is everything.

There are some weaknesses that you can work on and improve on yourself. There are, however, others that you will not be able to remove or improve on not even by prayers but you must learn how to live with them and manage them properly with the help of God - nevertheless, you will still fulfill the purpose of God for your life without these weaknesses stopping you.

Paul is an example of someone whose prayer did not remove his weaknesses. He prayed about it but God, rather than remove the weakness, gave him grace to live with the weakness and he still fulfilled the purpose of God for his life. Hear Paul: "That experience is something worth boasting about, but I am not going to do it. I am going to boast only about my weaknesses. I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing

Acts 2:1-13 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come” (Acts 2:1). The word Pentecost is a Greek word signifying fifty.

Among the Jews, it was applied to the feast which began on the fiftieth day after the Passover. The feast of Pentecost was also called the feast of weeks, occurring seven weeks after the Passover. The time of Pentecost was when many Jews, strangers and foreigners came to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast, as commanded by God. The promised power, dunamis, influence, divine inspiration, anointing, infilling, outpouring of the Spirit came when the greatest possible number of Jews were present at Jerusalem. It gave multitudes an opportunity of hearing the gospel, repenting, believing, becoming saved and taking the gospel to distant cities and countries where they came from.

The baptism with the Holy Ghost that came on the day of Pentecost was a great blessing to the Church, to all the believers and also of great and gracious benefit to the unbelievers who were afforded the unique opportunity to hear and believe the gospel. The baptism brought comfort to the Church and conversion to the world, supernatural power to the saints and salvation with pardon to sinners, great grace to God’s people and saving grace to

it, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it. I don't want anyone to think more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life and my message, even though I have received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.

Each time he said, 'My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:5-10NLT) In that Scripture, Paul simply called his weaknesses "a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan." But it was actually an instrument in God's hand to keep him humble because of the abundance of revelation he had.

Paul didn't say exactly what these weaknesses were but some Bible scholars have suggested different things, including a bodily pain or sickness. It means that these weaknesses posed some limitation to Paul. He had to depend on the grace of God which released the strength of God to him making his weaknesses pale into insignificance.

You have both strengths and weaknesses. Even your strengths can create your weaknesses. For instance, self-confidence is a strength but it can result in over-confidence which is a weakness. You therefore have a responsibility to maintain balance -

ensuring that your strength does not create a weakness that becomes a major limitation for you. You must understand your strengths and weaknesses to be able to achieve your goals and purpose in life.

How to manage your weaknesses - Recognize and admit your weaknesses. Don't deny your weaknesses. If you deny them, you will not be able to manage them to your advantage. God knows everybody's weaknesses, so identify and admit your weaknesses. If you don't know your weaknesses, ask your friends, colleagues or family members. As it is often said, a problem rightly identified is a problem half solved. In 2 Cor. 12:7, Paul was able to recognize the particular weaknesses that he had.

But Paul did not surrender to his weaknesses. He still fulfilled God's purpose for his life. You should do the same. Make no excuse for your weaknesses.

- Improve on your weaknesses.

There are some weaknesses that you must improve on if you are going to go far in life - that is the only option you have. Improvement will require time and efforts. Some will be easier than others but with the APPROPRIATE ACTIONS and prayer, commit yourself to improvement. Enlist the support of your friends, colleagues etc. in your improvement programme. Let them know the weaknesses you're trying to improve on and hold you accountable on your performance in this regard. "Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ." (Gal 6:2 NLT)

GREEN PASTURES

By Pastor T.O. Banso cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 As a child of God, one of the ways to improve on your weaknesses is studying and meditating on the Word of God. The Bible is a complete book dealing with everything you will need to know including your relationship with God and fellow human beings, examples of Bible characters with strengths and weaknesses and how to fulfill your destiny. "Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed." (Josh 1:8-9NLT) There are many things that can be learnt - not all things. You can improve on your weaknesses by learning from others what is teachable. If someone is strong where you are weak, approach him to teach you but be humble to learn. "Teach the wise, and they will be wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn more." (Prov 9:9NLT) I want to stop here today. I will continue this message next week.

Please don't miss the remaining two parts of this series. I urge you to act on what you have read today. I will share with you more next week on how to manage your weaknesses.

You are blessed in Jesus' name.

TAKE ACTION! If you are not born again, I urge you to take the following steps:*Admit you're a sinner and you

can't save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life - your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start to attend a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church. There you will be taught how to grow in the Kingdom of God. Kindly say this prayer now: "0 Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today.

I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God" I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations!

You will need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon.

May the Lord make you a Cedar Christian. May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be.

The promised baptism with the Holy ghost unbelievers.

1.

THE GREAT EXPERIENCE OF THE SPIRIT BAPTISM Acts 2:1-4; Jeremiah 32:39,40; John 17:17-23; Matthew 3:11,12; John 1:3234; Acts 1:4,5,8; 4:31-33; 10:4448; 11:15,16; 19:1-7.

The baptism with the Spirit, immersion in the Spirit, infilling with the Spirit, is not a mere doctrine to be studied and learnt; it should be an experience to be received and lived in. Just like salvation, sanctification, healing, redemption and total freedom, retaining the doctrine in the head is of no use if we don’t experience it in the heart. Think of a person having the knowledge of salvation yet living in sin, a man knowing much about sanctification yet inwardly and outwardly “without holiness”, a member who has learnt many healing promises who yet is sick and sickly. The goal of learning the doctrine is to experience and enjoy its benefit. The promised baptism with the Holy Ghost brings power, courage, boldness, understanding, guidance, zeal, soulwinning passion, comfort, inspiration and revelation. As surely as Christ saves, sanctifies, heals and delivers, He also baptizes with the Holy Ghost. When He saves a sinner, there is a visible, moral evidence: we become new creatures

FAITH DISCOURSE WITH

Pastor W. F. Kumuyi in Christ. When He sanctifies, there is a definite, undeniable evidence: we are inwardly pure and outwardly holy. When He baptizes, there is a glorious evidence – “power from on high”.

2.

THE GLORIOUS EVIDENCE OF THE SPIRIT BAPTISM Acts 2:2-4; Ezekiel 37:9,10; John 3:8; Matthew 3:11,12; Hebrews 1:7; Acts 2:4,11; Mark 16:17,18; Acts 1:8; Luke 24:49; John 14:16,17,26; 16:7-13; Acts 4:8-13, 31-33.

The baptism is an immersion, infilling, enduement, empowering, outpouring, energizing saturation with the Holy Spirit. No one can be baptized in the Holy Spirit and remain the same. How can one be connected to the divine, heavenly dynamite or power source and still remain weak, powerless and unproductive? Just like salvation,

sanctification, healing and all the miracles of Christ has definite and undeniable evidence for all to see, so the baptism with the Holy Ghost has the promised evidence, the present evidence, the purifying evidence, the prevailing evidence, the persuasive evidence, the profitable evidence and the perpetual, permanent evidence.

1.

The initial evidence – Acts 2:4,11; 10:44-46;19:6,7 2.

The invigorating evidence – Acts 2:2; John 3:8; Ezekiel 37:9,10 3.

The important evidence – Acts 2:3; Matthew 3:11; Malachi 3:2,3 4.

The inspirational evidence – Acts 2:13-18; Matthew 10:20; Acts 4:8-13 5.

The illuminating evidence – John 14:26; 16:12,13 6.

The indwelling evidence – John 14:16,17; Acts 9:31 7.

The indispensable

evidence – Acts 1:8; 4:31,33; Micah 3:8; Luke 24:49; Acts 6:5,8; Romans 15:19; Luke 1:16,17.

3.

THE GRACIOUS EFFECT OF THE SPIRIT BAPTISM Acts 2:5-13; Numbers 22:2831; 2 Peter 2:15,16; Isaiah 28:11-14; Acts 4:8-13; 10:44-48.

The baptism with the Holy Ghost had an arresting effect on the Jewish worshippers at the feast of Pentecost. These unbelieving Jews heard the one hundred and twenty believers speak in their languages and dialects “Are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?”

(Acts 2:7,8). This supernatural act of the Holy Ghost brought the people to see, to question, to wonder, to hear the gospel, to repent, believe and be saved.

The baptized Apostles and disciples were not just uttering unintelligible sounds, neither were they all speaking the same language or repeating a phrase for hours. They spoke, magnified God, telling of “the wonderful works of God” in languages they had never learnt. And God graciously led them to conviction, conversion and enduring commitment to Christ.

BIG PUNCH “You cannot declare amnesty for a ghost; the Boko Haram remains a ghost. The issue of amnesty for the Niger Delta is different, if you call them, you will see them, they are poeple you know.”

—President Goodluck Jonathan addressing stakeholders at a town hall meeting in Damaturu

SATURDAY 9 — SUNDAY 10, MARCH, 2013

The new religion 'War on terror is the West's new religion.' Robert Fisk

R

obert Fisk, [The Independent, 24/2/13], gives us the picture of the newest exploit of the new religion, this time under the French flag.

The theatre has shifted dramatically, but the phraseology, according to Fisk, 'is as wearying - you could listen to the same old wording in almost every US pronouncement during the Iraqi war - as is the West's incomprehension of the new alQa'ida', the avowed enemy. What is Mali all about? Every thing about it is incomprehensible, as Fisk would admit: 'Only Baroness Orczy's Scarlet Pimpernel could match this.

"They seek him here, they seek him there, those Frenchies seek him everywhere …" But who, exactly? The leader of which particular groupuscule of alQa'ida-inspired gunmen in Mali?

Indeed, our lords and masters seem to have not the slightest idea who they are talking about. A few weeks ago, when many of us didn't even known the name of the Malian capital - admit it, O readers - we were all under the impression that al-Qa'ida's resurgence was in Iraq, where it's back to almost daily suicide bombing against Shias.

'Then out came "al-Qa'ida scholar", Gregory Johnsen, with a book entitled The Last Refuge: Yemen, Al-Qaeda and the Battle for Arabia. Yes, folks, the book had not a single reference to Mali.

And then - blow us all down - it turned out that the dodgy lads of al-Qa'ida were in northern Syria.

Needless to say, we were back in Mali again on 12 February, when al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula were calling for jihad in Mali against the "crusaders".

The Western press, as usual, generally went along with this nonsensical narrative, quoting the usual mountebank "terrorist" specialists in London, Paris and all places West.'

Robert Fisk then takes us through a new book, Al-Qa'ida, the Next Generation, written by the Arab journalist who knew Bin Laden well, Abdel Bari Atwan, which analyses Al-Qaida's strategy to 2020, produced in 2005. The seven stage strategy starts with provoking 'the ponderous American elephant' into invading Muslim lands

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where it would be easier for the mujahideen to fight it, to when the 'Muslim nation wakes from its long sleep and is furious at the sight of a new generation of crusaders intent on occupying large parts of the Middle East and stealing its valuable resources;' then to a Nato-al-Qa'ida conflict in a 'triangle of horror … in Iraq, Syria and Jordan'; then onward to when the US military budget is 'crashed into bankruptcy and economic meltdown ensues'; followed by the 'overthrow of the hated Arab dictators;' and finally, the apocalypse. The strategy also hints at cyber warfare and possible take over of nuclear facilities and energy grids, and disruptions of oil flow.

Fisk thinks that the war is, however, not inevitable; if you eliminate the underlying causes it will come to an end. So, Fisk queries the Western powers: Why not stop spraying bombs and depleted uranium shells on the people of the Middle East? And stop sending wretched armies to occupy Muslim lands and stop bribing leaders to crush their own people. Instead, why not visit these lands with justice? Justice for the Palestinians, justice for the Kurds, justice for the people of southern Lebanon, justice for the people of Kashmir, justice for all.

If the West put its mind to this real "crusade", al-Qa'ida would disappear. But because the true aim of Western powers 'is to govern the world' the war must go on endlessly, aimlessly.

Frisk concludes: "War on terror" remains the new religion of the West - and why not when the French Interior Minister declares that "there is an Islamic fascism rising everywhere"? But no, now we peddle the myth that elected Islamist parties are subterfuge al-Qa'idas, that - deep down - the Islamic world really is in an eternal "clash of civilisations" with us, that we must fear them, hate them. And so the war goes on. What was it the splendid Leon Panetta - my favourite US Defence Secretary said in Kabul 18 months ago?

"We're within reach of strategically defeating al-Qa'ida."

And in London a few days ago?

He called for "relentless pressure" on the group. Did al-Qa'ida's press office write this stuff for him? Or is there some dark, unspoken knowledge shared by both us and al-Qa'ida? That we both, in our

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WEEKEND with

Ibraheem Sulaiman sa427420@gmail.com

Osama bin Laden souls, want the war to go on.'

The tragic part of it all is where Africa stands in this West's quest to rule the world at all cost, especially the Muslim world?

African countries are forced into a war that is not their war and which is not in their interest.

General Shehu Abdulkadir told the world he was leading the Nigerian contingent to Mali to fight 'Islamic terrorists.' But who exactly are the 'Islamic terrorists'?

Is it the Tuaregs, who have been struggling for justice and self determination for the last fifty years or more, who sit on vast resources of uranium and gold, the very reason for the French invasion? Or is it the numerous ever mutating groups of insurgents who were 'freedom fighters' in Libya but 'terrorists' in Mali? General Abdulkadir who, as a Northern Nigerian, could easily be apprehended by the French army, mistaken as an 'Islamic terrorist', were he to stray into a market in Bamako - has perhaps not yet grasped the truth that the world already knows. 'As French war planes bomb Mali, there is one simple statistic that

provides the key context: this west African nation of 15 million people is the eighth country in which western powers - over the last four years alone - have bombed and killed Muslims - after Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Libya, Somalia and the Philippines (that does not count the numerous lethal tyrannies propped up by the west in that region),' Glenn Greenwald aptly observes. [guardian.co.uk, 14 January 2013 13.45 GMT] 'For obvious reasons, the rhetoric that the west is not at war with the Islamic world grows increasingly hollow with each new expansion of this militarism. To believe that the US and its allies can just continue to go around the world, in country after country, and bomb and kill innocent people Muslims - and not be targeted with "terrorist" attacks is, for obvious reasons, lunacy.'

This lunacy goes on and on and the means being employed to hurt Islam keeps getting meaner and dirtier: from perverse oversimplification of good fighting evil, as Greenwald has pointed out; to simplistic cartoon

script which distorts reality more than it describes it; to depressingly common yet wildly effective propaganda, to the extent that any western government, indeed any government at all, that wants to bomb Muslims simply slaps the label of "terrorists" on them, and even to the brazen subversion of democratic process itself. 'For all the self-flattering rhetoric that western democracies love to apply to themselves, it is extraordinary how these wars [on Muslims] are waged without any pretense of democratic process,' Glenn Greenwald observes with a sense of alarm. 'The US and its western allies do not merely wage endless war aimed invariably at Muslims. They do so in virtually complete secrecy, without any transparency or accountability.

Meet the western "democracies".'

The war on terror is waged by two forces: the West which has a blueprint, a strategy and an objectives, and the Africans, who are behaving almost as subhumans, herded in any direction and for any purpose. One side thinks, plans and executes, the other does not think, plan or strategize, but merely submits and waits for orders. In practice, it is individuals who are generally hired as soldiers of fortune, to kill and be killed for a fee. In the case of Mali, national armies and nations themselves are the ones being engaged as mercenaries to fight what Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff calls the 'dirtiest' wars for France and her allies. But the facts are clear and disturbing. French intervention in Rwanda in 1994 resulted in a genocide which claimed 800,000 lives, twenty percent of the country's entire population.

French intervention in Libya has led to ethnic cleansing of the Tuaregs and Black Africans, including Nigerians, as well as to the rising ethnic and racial tensions whose ramifications on Mali, and the whole region, are yet unknown. Above all, the French intervention furnishes the excuse for the ongoing militarization of Africa by AFRICOM. One by one, African countries might be consumed by the fire set by France with the help of Nigeria and others acting as mercenaries in the war for the Scramble for Africa and the total reconquest of Africa. The New Religion, surely, is on course!

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